The Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP) has dismissed claims by estate agency group Spicerhaart that just ten per cent of buyers are reading their Home Information Packs (Hips).

Spicehaart''s chief executive Paul Smith had claimed that the packs were "an absolute waste of time" and that the low numbers of buyers confirmed their status as an unnecessary cost.

Responding to those allegations, however, AHIPP deputy director general Paul Broadhead is arguing that the packs are still in the early stages of their roll-out and so should be given more time to make an impact on the market.

"As far as AHIPP is concerned, it is too early to make any firm conclusions about the way consumers use Hips as we are only half way through the rollout," Mr Smith insisted.

"Buyers are not being given a Hip automatically, instead they are having to request it specifically from the Estate Agent - so this figure does not surprise me."

He added that AHIPP has just issued an updated version of Hip handling guides to be given to all estate agents.

Hips are now compulsory for all three-plus bedroom homes. They include documents relating to the property such an Energy Performance Certificate, local authority searches, title documents and guarantees.