One of Scotland's most respected female property and construction experts has warned that house prices may tumble because of the Single Survey.

Janey Milligan, Chairman of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS Scotland), expects a surge of properties for sale in the summer and autumn, as home owners race to sell up before the Single Survey comes in on 1 December 2008.

Ms Milligan said: "People seem very wary of the Single Survey because it is new and may cost sellers money so they will naturally want to avoid change and sell their homes before December. This means a flood of properties on the market in the summer and autumn, pushing prices down as buyers have more flats and houses to choose from.

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"Scotland has been enjoying steady price increases over the last few months, outperforming London and the rest of the UK.

"But the Single Survey's introduction could change all that."

The Single Survey is part of the Home Report which will be introduced by the Scottish Government on 1 December 2008.

Every home on the market from December will need to provide a Home Report for potential purchasers. RICS Scotland members are the only professionals qualified to carry out the Single Survey.

She concluded: "RICS members are well placed to offer advice to home owners about the Single Survey and we expect the next few months to be a very busy time for chartered surveyors and the property market."

(CD/JM)