The launch of home information packs (Hips) has caused available housing stock to fall by 15 per cent, according to new research from estate agency Hamptons.

According to the firm, the number of four-bedroom homes put on sale fell by two per cent between spring and summer this year, with five-bedroom homes falling by four per cent in the same period.

"Hips have undoubtedly had an impact on the market and consumer behaviour," said Rob Bruce, senior research manager at Hamptons.

He added that other factors, such as rising interest rates and seasonal trends had played also played a part, but stressed the that Hips had dramatically changed the market.

The packs were introduced for four-bedroom properties on August 1st before being rolled out to cover three-bedroom homes on September 10th, with the remainder of Britain''s housing stock expected to fall under the scheme in the next few months.

Earlier this month, a spokesperson for the National Association of Estate Agents, said that most agents felt that the scheme is "a complete waste of time".

"All it is doing is adding another layer of bureaucracy and cost to the process. The vast majority of agents are not welcoming the scheme," he added.