Approximately one-third of all surveys commissioned in Scotland currently does not lead to a house purchase, at an estimated cost of £9 million per year to consumers.

But news that the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors in Scotland is not supporting the Executive's plans to pilot single survey schemes in four Scottish cities from next month has been criticised by the Consumers Association.

In the pilot, being extended to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Inverness, sellers will be encouraged to arrange and pay for a survey when a home goes on the market. The survey will provide a comprehensive guide to the condition of the property, together with a valuation. It will also contain important information on energy efficiency and a report on access for the disabled. The cost of the survey will be met initially by the seller, but will ultimately be met by the successful purchaser.

This compares with the established system in Scotland where the majority of people seeking to buy a home pay for a valuation only, not a survey, when they want to purchase a house. This means they have limited information on the property they are potentially purchasing. One in four recent buyers faced unexpected repairs costs averaging around £3,700.

Of those that do take a survey, only one third lead to a purchase, and the Consumers Association is stressing that single surveys are clearly in the best interest of home-buyers.

Julia Clarke, Senior Scottish Public Affairs Officer, Consumers' Association, said: "The proposed pilot schemes in Scottish cities will help put a stop to the ridiculous waste of money Scottish home-buyers face each year when bidding for properties they do not successfully purchase.”

"It is no longer acceptable for home-buyers to shell out for multiple surveys on the same properties. Consumers' Association hopes the Executive will press forward with their plans for single surveys, particularly as a recent Clydesdale Bank survey showed four out of five Scottish home-buyers backed the sellers' survey scheme."