A Note of Interest records that you are a potential buyer and want to hear if a closing date is set. It is not a formal offer or a guarantee that the seller will wait, so discuss your next steps with your solicitor promptly.
Noting interest in a property in Scotland means telling the seller’s agent, normally through your solicitor, that you may want to make an offer. It does not commit you to buying or reserve the property for you.
For buyers in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and elsewhere in Scotland, understanding this step helps avoid a common misunderstanding: registering interest and securing a home are different stages. Here is how it works and what to do next.
What does noting interest in a property in Scotland mean?
Noting interest means your solicitor formally tells the selling agent that you are interested in a property and may wish to submit an offer. It allows your interest to be recorded for communication about a closing date, but does not oblige you to offer or buy. The seller can still accept another buyer’s offer without setting a closing date.
How do I note interest in a property?
Contact your solicitor and give them the property address, the listing and the selling agent’s details. Explain whether you have viewed it, reviewed the Home Report and identified anything you want advice about.
Your solicitor can contact the selling agent to note your interest and ask about the current position. Scottish Government guidance identifies your solicitor as the person who formally notes interest on your behalf. mygov.scot
Ask your solicitor to confirm that this has been done. Also check whether a closing date has already been set or whether the seller is considering offers now.
Is telling the viewing agent enough?
Saying you like a property during a viewing, requesting its Home Report or saving it on a property website should not be treated as confirmation that a formal Note of Interest has been recorded.
Ask your solicitor to handle it. MOV8’s buying guidance recommends submitting through a solicitor, particularly when the property is marketed by a solicitor estate agent.
Does noting interest commit me to buying?
No. A Note of Interest does not oblige you to submit an offer, agree a price or purchase the property. It records your interest while you decide whether to proceed.
For example, you might like a flat in Dalry but want to review the Home Report or discuss your budget before offering. Noting interest lets the selling agent know you are considering it; it does not complete those checks for you.
If you decide against the property, tell your solicitor so they can withdraw the note. You can also note interest in more than one property where you are seriously considering each one.
Does a Note of Interest stop the seller accepting another offer?
No. The property is not reserved, and a seller can accept an offer from another buyer even where other parties have noted interest. espc.com
This is why you should avoid treating a Note of Interest as permission to wait indefinitely. Ask your solicitor whether there is a reason to make an offer promptly or seek further information first.
Will I definitely be told before the property is sold?
Do not assume that you will receive a separate opportunity to bid before every possible sale.
The important distinction is whether a closing date is being set. MOV8’s guidance explains that solicitor estate agents should notify those who have noted interest when a closing date is set, but that this does not guarantee the seller will hold one or wait for another offer.
Other agents may operate under different professional arrangements. The Property Ombudsman’s Scottish code requires its members to do everything reasonably possible to tell a party who has noted interest about a formal closing date.
Your solicitor can check how the sale is being handled.
Does noting interest mean there will be a closing date?
No. Several interested buyers may lead the seller to set a closing date, but it is not automatic. A seller may instead consider an individual offer. mygov.scot
A closing date is a deadline for submitting written offers. It gives interested buyers a common date and time to work towards, rather than allowing them to see and outbid each other’s offers.
Sellers do not have to accept the highest offer, or any offer. The proposed date of entry and other conditions can also affect their decision.
What should I do if a closing date is set?
Contact your solicitor promptly and allow time to agree your instructions before the deadline. Discuss:
- Whether you still want to buy after reviewing the Home Report.
- The price you can afford and wish to offer.
- Your mortgage and deposit position.
- Your preferred date of entry.
- Any conditions your solicitor recommends.
A formal offer includes the proposed price, moving date and relevant conditions, and is submitted by your solicitor. mygov.scot
What is the difference between noting interest, making an offer and concluding missives?
These are separate stages with different consequences.
| Stage | What it means |
|---|---|
| Note of Interest | Records you as a potential buyer. It does not commit you to offering or buying. |
| Formal offer | Sets out your proposed purchase terms, including price, date of entry and conditions. Obtain advice before authorising it. |
| Conclusion of missives | Creates the binding contract once the necessary contractual agreement has been reached through the solicitors. |
The seller may respond to an offer with a qualified acceptance containing conditions. The solicitors then negotiate the terms through formal letters called missives. Your solicitor should explain when a binding contract has been concluded. mygov.scot
Can I make an offer without noting interest first?
Yes. A Note of Interest is not a compulsory preliminary step before a formal offer. If you are ready to proceed, your solicitor can discuss submitting an offer directly.
Likewise, you do not need to wait for a closing date before asking about an offer. Your solicitor can establish whether the seller is open to considering one and advise on the approach.
Noting interest is most useful when you are a serious potential buyer but still have decisions or checks to complete.
How much does it cost to note interest?
Ask your solicitor what their service includes. There is no universal fee that applies to every firm or every buyer, and you should not assume that noting interest makes all subsequent advice or offers free.
Request a written explanation of the buying service and charges, including what applies if you offer unsuccessfully or decide not to proceed.
What should I do after noting interest?
Use the time to prepare for a decision. Read the Home Report, raise questions about the property and discuss your funding and budget with the appropriate advisers.
For a tenement flat, that might include questions about shared repairs or factoring. For a house, it could mean understanding an extension or a repair highlighted by the surveyor.
Keep your solicitor informed about changes in your circumstances. If you need to sell another home, have a particular moving deadline or are considering another property, explain this before deciding on an offer.
An early conversation is particularly useful for buyers unfamiliar with the Scottish system. Having advice in place before bidding gives you time to consider the property and your proposed terms.
How to Navigate a Home Report in Scotland
Frequently asked questions
No. It does not bind you to buy or require you to make an offer. It also does not bind the seller to sell to you.
You can contact the agent to express interest, but the recommended approach is to ask your solicitor to submit the formal note and confirm it has been recorded. Do not assume that a viewing enquiry has the same effect.
Yes. Noting interest does not reserve the property, and a seller may accept another offer without setting a closing date.
Yes, where you are seriously considering those properties. Keep your solicitor updated if your plans change so that unnecessary notes can be withdrawn.
Yes. Tell your solicitor you no longer wish to proceed so they can update the selling agent. Withdrawing a note is different from withdrawing after a binding purchase contract has been concluded.
Do not rely on an assumed reservation period: a note does not give you one. Keep in contact with your solicitor about the sale’s progress and tell them if you are no longer interested.
No. It can indicate interest, but does not establish how many buyers will actually bid or what they will offer. Base your decision on the property, relevant sales evidence, your funding and advice—not a presumed winning percentage.
A Note of Interest is not proof of mortgage approval. You should nevertheless establish your budget and discuss funding early, particularly if you may need to make an offer at short notice.
Conclusion
Noting interest is a useful way to record that you are considering a Scottish property, but it does not secure the home. The practical next step is to ask your solicitor about the sale’s position, complete your checks and decide whether you are ready to offer.
MOV8’s buying team can explain Notes of Interest, discuss your proposed offer and guide you through the legal stages of purchasing. With estate agency and residential conveyancing within the same business, we bring practical Scottish property experience to your move.
Contact MOV8’s buying team to discuss your next steps.
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