DM Hall, one of Scotland’s foremost firms of Chartered Surveyors, is significantly enhancing the capabilities of its sector-leading Property Enquiry Certificate (PEC)/Legal Search team as home-buying activity continues to recover.

The team, led by Amanda Cameron, has added two new staff this year taking its strength to seven and it is now engaged in a major push into lucrative markets in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

It is also carrying out comprehensive improvements to its internet offering, with updates and additions to the website which will allow a seamless online ordering system to mesh with the firm’s market-beating Home Reports service.

Ms Cameron said: “We are seeing demand picking up in what has been a fragile housing market for several years now and DM Hall is ensuring it is strongly positioned to continue to provide the best possible quality of service.

The firm is well known for the excellence of its Home Report and residential property expertise and the enhancements to the Property Enquiry Certificate team will allow us to remain ahead of client expectations.”

Along with a home report, every house on the market requires two Legal Reports – a PEC and a Legal Search. A PEC covers issues such as the status of the road and planning/building warrants. It also considers properties surrounding the house to flag potential additional issues.

The Legal Search provides solicitors with information on the current proprietor, outstanding loans/mortgages attached to the house and a personal report on both the buyer and seller of the house.

Ms Cameron said: “As interest rate rises become an ever more likely possibility, we are seeing increased demand for remortgaging to fixed rates. Remortgages also also require a Legal Search and the Property Services team is geared up to assist clients in these transactions.

“Our improved online service is designed to create a one-stop shop for home-buying and re-mortgaging needs.”