You say stuff and nonsense but that is not true. If you purchase a house you still need that info typically for a mortgage approval (1) Now the Solicitors fees go back up to get this info - so how exactly is the winner here?
HIPS is yet another burden to the seller, but I would keep it.
Instead I would introduce a law where an agreement to purchase is binding and that both the purchaser and the seller are bound to pay 10% of the agreed price in the event that either wish to pull out (2)
I haven't sold many houses, but all bar one have had problems with buyers pulling out, ultimately costing me money and aggravation. The way things are set up in this country someone can 'commit' to buy, lead you down the garden path for 3 months and then pull out, with absolutely no financial penalty to them.
Enboldened bits.
1) No you don't. Not even a little bit.
2) There's a law there already at contract exchange which commits both purchaser and seller. Any law coming in earlier than exchange would be both unworkable and a demand for far more problems than currently occur.
Can I suggest you both review the Scottish system on house purchases.
Down here is a 3 ring circus in comparison. basically once an offer is accepted it's legally binding on both parties with swingeing penalties for renaging.
Yes you have to have a survey done before you offer but it means everyone knows everyone's serious from the get go and I only had 1 survey where I didn't succeeed in buying the house.