The government’s home information packs (HIPs) will be required for all properties sold in England or Wales from 14th December.

The packs have been in force since September for all houses with three or more bedrooms and have divided opinion among estate agents, buyers and sellers.

The packs also come with energy performance certificates (EPCs) to rate homes from A to G in terms of their energy efficiency.

“Hips and EPCs are already helping consumers to save hundreds of pounds off their fuel bills and are cutting search costs too,” said Yvette Cooper, the government’s housing minister.

“All homebuyers will be able to benefit from energy efficiency advice, with those receiving low green ratings of F and G especially targeted for support and grants,” she added.

But the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has criticised the move, claiming that the packs had already resulted in fewer larger properties coming onto the market and would make life even harder for first-time buyers.