HOUSEHUNTERS could save thousands of pounds under plans to force sellers to pay for a survey of their own property by the end of next year.

The compulsory scheme, which could be in force in 2008, is aimed at helping buyers by saving them the cost of paying for multiple surveys and valuations.

Ministers hope the proposed rules, which are out for public consultation, will also force owners to make improvements to their properties before putting them on the market.

The surveys will be carried out by members of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and cost between £300 and £700.

It is estimated that £9million is spent on surveys which never result in a purchase every year.

Figures also show one in four buyers discover hidden problems with their homes after purchasing and have to shell out up to £4000 to rectify the faults.

But sellers ignored the scheme during an eight-month voluntary pilot project in four Scottish cities. Only 74 surveys were commissioned out of a possible 1200, 65 of which were in Glasgow.

As well as handing over a survey, buyers would also have to complete a questionnaire containing information such as council tax band and parking.

Des McNulty, deputy communities minister, said he was confident the system would be fairer than the one at present.

But Janette Wilson, convener of the Law Society of Scotland's conveyancing committee, said: "The fact any property survey is time sensitive means the issue of multiple surveys is not solved by a compulsory single survey."