Buying in Scotland works a bit differently from England, and the big difference is when you're committed. Here's how mygov.scot describes it.
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Noting interest and closing dates
If you like a home and you're happy with its Home Report, tell your solicitor, who will formally "note" your interest with the seller. If several people note interest, the seller will usually set a closing date for offers. If there's no closing date, nobody else may have noted interest, and you might be able to negotiate a price instead.
What goes in an offer
mygov.scot says an offer should include a brief description of the home, your preferred date of entry, the price, any items you want to buy from the seller and any other conditions. It must be sent as a letter from your solicitor.
Missives
If the seller agrees, their solicitor sends a "qualified acceptance", accepting subject to conditions. The solicitors then exchange letters negotiating those conditions; these are the missives. Once the missives are concluded, you have a binding contract. mygov.scot warns that pulling out after this can make you liable to pay the seller thousands of pounds in damages.
It also says buyers should insure the home from conclusion of missives unless the missives say otherwise, so check with your solicitor.
Do your checks first
Because the contract becomes binding at missives, the time for questions is before then. Work through our flat buyer's checklist: the street check, statutory notices, shared repair costs and the factor.
Not legal advice. This is a plain-English summary of official sources to help you know what to ask. Every property is different, so check the details with your solicitor, surveyor or the council before you rely on it.
Related
Buying a flat in Edinburgh: the checklist · Property factors · Roof and common repairs · Browse postcode areas · Search a street
Sources (checked 2026-11-06): mygov.scot: making an offer · mygov.scot: Home Report · mygov.scot: buying a home. Summaries are our wording; the council's pages are authoritative.