A controversial new system of single seller surveys for property sales will be introduced across Scotland.

Communities minister Stewart Maxwell said the move will create a "fairer" housing market and help first-time-buyers.

The Scottish Government hopes to introduce the system, which will see those selling their homes providing a detailed survey for would-be buyers, on December 1.

The change will mean people having to spend between £350 and £600 for a Home Report before they even put their home on the market.

The new report will see sellers have to offer a single survey, an energy report on the buildings impact on the environment, and complete a property questionnaire containing useful information to buyers.

The scheme had originally been proposed by the previous Scottish Executive, with Labour putting forward the proposal as far back as 1999.

Speaking after the move was approved by Holyrood's Local Government and Communities Committee, Mr Maxwell claimed it will make the housing market "fairer, greener and much more informed".

"Buying a house is for most people the largest investment they make in their lives and we believe that the buyer should have good, professional information about its condition and value before making an offer," he added.

"The Home Report will offer prospective buyers more confidence in the property's condition.

"The Energy Report should result in greater demand for energy efficient homes and is supported by environmental groups."

The move was backed by SNP, Labour and Lib Dem MSPs on the committee.

But it has provoked criticism from some politicians and estate agents, with opponents arguing buyers will not be able to rely on a survey they have not commissioned themselves.

Tory Pentlands MSP David McLetchie, who was the only committee member to vote against the move, accused the SNP government of manifesto "u-turn" by carrying through the changes.

He claimed pilot schemes showed the system was unworkable and quoted Scottish Consumer Council claims that low income sellers will be hit by the changes.

And he said the government's own figures show the only winners will be surveyors, with annual earnings expected to rise from between £25 million and £40 million to between £57.6 million to £83.2 million.

Mr McLetchie also claimed that solicitors and estate agents will be able to pass on all extra costs to customers.

"At this time of difficulty for home owners, a market slowing down, capital values falling, it is quite disgraceful that this government should be trying to put this regulatory cost burden on the buyers and sellers of properties in Scotland," he added.

Mr Maxwell argued that the pilot only showed that a voluntary scheme would not work and quoted research showing that two-thirds of buyers wanted the change.

He said the income of surveyors will rise because sellers would be purchasing better information than the valuation surveys the majority of buyers choose.

"The winners in this are buyers, because buyers will get detailed information about this purchase," he added.

"Particularly first-time-buyers who, we hear about this week-in, week-out in the current environment, are struggling to get onto the property ladder.

"First-time-buyers will no longer have to spend anything on surveys, it will be entirely free, no charge at all to first-time-buyers because they will not be selling a property."