The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) has hit out at the government for blaming estate agents for the problems associated with Home information packs (Hips).

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) is accused of using estate agents as scapegoats for the apparent failings of Hips.

A report from the organisation appeared to blame estate agents for the fact that as many as 80 per cent of homebuyers did not see a pack before making a purchase.

Stewart Lilley, president of the NAEA, has slammed the DCLG for targeting estate agents.

"It is extremely negative of the government to bring out research now based on trials in an attempt to blame agents for all the problems of the Hips roll-out, when the government has bulldozed Hips through despite repeated concerns and warnings from the industry," he commented.

"The research itself, whilst focusing on sellers is very quiet on the subject of what buyers thought – perhaps deliberately? After all, the legislation was actually brought out for the benefit of the buyer in order to give them up-front information about the property they are looking to buy.

"Research amongst our members shows a different picture. When we asked agents how many requests they had received to date to view the content of a Hip by a prospective purchaser, 68 per cent replied that they''ve had no requests at all," continued Mr Lilley.

Hips became a mandatory part of the home-selling process for all properties in England and Wales in December.