Home pack plan faces chaos, say surveyors

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The controversial project is "unworkable, unenforceable and unfair", says the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

They will tell Communities and Local Government Secretary Ruth Kelly that the regime being phased in from August is riddled with loopholes and can only disrupt the "fragile" housing market.

The packs are a logbook for the home containing information such as the deeds, searches, planning permissions, road building proposals, and details on drainage and water connections.

They will also include an Energy Performance Certificate produced by a Domestic Energy Assessor that will give properties an energy efficiency rating.

But implementing the certificates has been a problem because there is a shortage of trained assessors to do the job.

The RICS fears the uncertainty generated by the packs could disrupt the housing market.

They say homeowners will be more reluctant to put their properties on the market if they have to pay between £300 and £1,000 for a pack.

Initially they will be needed only for homes marketed as having four bedrooms.

RICS spokesman Jeremy Leaf said: "We think it is unworkable, unenforceable and unfair. It should be scrapped in favour of something better."

Ministers insist the packs will make buying a home simpler and speedier.

They argue the energy ratings will encourage homeowners to take green measures, such as installing double-glazing, insulation and solar panels.