The introduction of packs for house sellers will undermine development, the National Federation of Builders has warned.

Barry Stephens, its chief executive, has written to Phyllis Starkey, chair of the ODPM select committee, to say that the introduction of home information packs will reduce overall housing market transactions and so depress demand.

He writes: “One of the effects of HIPs will be to deter the casual vendor from putting their houses on the market. The scale of this deterrent effect is estimated at 10% by the ODPM and 30% by estate agents.”

Stephens is urging Starkey to press the government to allow a proper evaluation of the pilot, which is due to start in July, before rolling out the packs. He said: “The committee might be in a position to serve an early warning to the government and prevent it from making a serious misjudgment.”