Sellers could find themselves negotiating on the price of their property if has scored poorly in energy efficiency tests, it has been suggested.

Since last Friday, every home put on the market must have a home information pack containing an energy performance certificate (EPC) detailing its efficiency.

Hyder Consulting Environment and Home Survey said that 44 per cent of people would try and get a seller to cut their asking price if the EPC was not good, while a further 14 per cent would have to think twice about purchasing the house.

Chris Evans, director of environmental solutions at the company, commented that the packs "could provide an additional incentive for home owners to invest in energy saving measures".

Acknowledging that "environmental concerns" may not be the only things driving buyers to try and get a discount on the purchase price, he said that making a home eco-friendly is important.

"The reality is that sellers will have to take note of their home''s environmental performance, and do all they can to enhance this, if they want to command the maximum price for their properties," he said.