With a general election approaching, there is much talk about creating a genuinely sustainable alternative to home information packs (HIPs). Attention seems to be focusing on ‘building on HIPS’ and introducing a mandatory legal pack which, it is claimed, will bring about a faster and more certain homebuying process.

In our experience, client reaction to HIPs has been universally negative, to the extent that the packs are seen as an abject failure. In clients’ eyes there seems very little to salvage from what is a discredited and unpopular measure.

What is needed now is a radical rethink of the homebuying process. Solicitors, being at the centre of that process, are best placed to drive this forward.

More upfront information is not a panacea. Local searches are time-sensitive. Clients need mortgage offers which take time. Chains continue to cause delay. Equally, we must accept that solicitors do not operate in a vacuum. There needs to be sharing of ideas and information with lenders, agents and surveyors.

We need to look at early binding contracts with financial penalties for timewasters. We need to investigate ways to break a chain. We need to look at greater chain transparency and improving communication between solicitors and other interested parties.

Instead of trying to second-guess what a Conservative government may do, solicitors need to press ahead with the reform of the existing process. This will benefit consumers whoever forms the next government.

Richard Atkins, Property partner, Taylor Walton, Luton