With Home Information Packs (Hips) now a reality, the Office of Fair Trading has warned UK estate agents of the potential consequences of failing to comply with the new regulations.

Under the scheme, all properties for sale in England and Wales with four or more bedrooms will be required to have a Hip, which needs to include details of its energy efficiency, title details and relevant planning permission.

Should an estate agent fail to make sure that a pack is included in a sale, the OFT has the power to ban the firm from practising.

Mike Haley, the head of consumer protection at the OFT, said: "The new Hips come into force ...and it is important that agents are aware of their obligations and the possible consequences if they fail to comply.

"If an agent fails to comply, this could trigger an investigation into an agent's fitness to continue estate agency work."

Some observers have voiced their concerns that house sales could be held up as a result of the current shortages of adequately qualified home inspectors in some areas of the country.