CALLS have been made for the government to urgently review its controversial Home Information Packs (Hips) in a bid to help the troubled property market.

The National Association of Estate Agents said the packs were not fit for purpose and were the wrong answer to simplifying the house-buying process.

Hips were introduced in August last year to provide more of the information that homebuyers need upfront.

Jason Spiers, past chair of BH Property Professionals (BPRO) and partner of Richards Estate Agents in Corfe Mullen, said he believes the government was "blinkered" in its belief that Hips would put things right.

"It could have been a very good tool to help improve the market but it has proved to be quite a hindrance."

He said Hips haven't performed the task they were supposed to and have caused confusion among potential sellers.

"It could be very, very helpful but I think it's been diluted so much that all it really contains is the energy efficiency certificate, which nobody is taking a blind bit of notice of."

Mr Spiers said Hips have shaved weeks off straight cash sales but added: "They don't speed up the chain, which is always as slow as the slowest link."

He said out of 60 properties put on the market since Hips were introduced, buyers have asked to see the relevant Hip just twice.

"If the government wanted to get rid of them I don't think the market place would be disappointed.

"If they are here to stay maybe the government needs to look at what is contained in them and its effectiveness."

David Slade, senior partner at Slade Estate Agents, said Hips have helped speed up some simple cash sales.

"I don't think they have a major effect on the negativity of the market. When a Hip is in place it can greatly speed up transactions."

He called for more long-term measures such as introducing a stepped stamp duty market, which will stop properties being sold under-priced and slow down the sale of properties correctly priced slightly over any of the stamp duty thresholds.

Mr Slade added: "We will get back to a decent market. We are through the worst of it.

"Why introduce measures which perhaps will be unnecessary?

"Let's look to the future and generate the market in a better way."