The public wants solicitors to retain a key role in the home-selling process after next year's introduction of home information packs (HIPs), a Law Society survey has revealed.

Fifty-seven percent of people would be most likely to trust their solicitor to prepare their HIP and 70% would rely on them to interpret the information contained it, the survey, conducted by ICM, showed.


A year away from the launch of HIPs, the survey revealed that almost two-thirds of the 1,000 respondents were unaware of the change.


Law Society President Kevin Martin said that given the financial penalties for not producing a HIP, the lack of awareness is a 'real cause for concern'. He added: 'It is encouraging but not surprising that consumers are most likely to trust solicitors to provide and interpret the packs.'


A spokeswoman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said a public awareness campaign was about to be launched.


  • The Society has issued a HIPS question-and-answer document for consumers at www.lawsociety.org.uk.