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HomeGlossary
Plain-English glossary

Scottish Property & Auction Terms Explained

From "Sold STC" to "conclusion of missives" — every key term in selling and buying property at auction in Scotland, defined simply.

This glossary defines the most common Scottish property and auction terms — including Sold STC, Under Offer, conclusion of missives, Home Report, the modern method of auction, reserve price, LBTT and more — with links to in-depth guides for each.

Sold STC

Sold Subject to Contract — an accepted offer that isn't yet legally binding. In Scotland the binding point is the conclusion of missives. Learn more →

Under Offer

An offer has been made and is being considered or provisionally accepted; the property isn't yet sold or legally committed. Learn more →

Conclusion of missives

The point at which formal letters between solicitors are agreed, forming the binding contract for a property sale in Scotland. Learn more →

Home Report

The pack legally required to market a property in Scotland: a Single Survey, Energy Report and Property Questionnaire. Learn more →

Modern Method of Auction

An online auction where the winning bidder pays a non-refundable reservation fee and gets a reservation period (usually 28 days) to complete. Learn more →

Reserve price

The minimum price a seller will accept at auction. The seller sets it and is not obliged to sell below it. Learn more →

Repossessed (mortgagee in possession)

A property a lender has taken back after default and now sells, usually at auction, to recover the debt. Learn more →

Non-standard construction

Any home not built of brick/stone with a tiled pitched roof — e.g. steel frame, concrete (PRC), timber or prefab. Learn more →

BISF house

A post-war steel-framed home built by the British Iron and Steel Federation; classed as non-standard construction. Learn more →

LBTT

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax — Scotland's equivalent of Stamp Duty, paid by buyers above the threshold. Learn more →

Gazumping

When a seller accepts a higher offer after provisionally agreeing to sell to another buyer; rarer in Scotland due to missives. Learn more →

SaleLock Guarantee

Scotland Property Auction's process securing a 10% non-refundable deposit from the buyer, protecting the seller against fall-throughs. Learn more →

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