The new coalition government has scrapped rules that require homeowners to give buyers more information about the property they are selling at their own expense, a measure it hopes will spur sales.

 The Home Information Pack (HIPs) was introduced in 2007. They were designed to increase transparency in home sales and heighten awareness about energy efficiency. Critics including the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors said they did neither.

The packs also cost the home seller between £400 and £600 for the pack, the removed of this is aimed at helping sales.