The introduction of Home Information Packs (HIPs) is to be delayed until August 2007 - when they will be brought in for sales of four-bedroom properties only.

The packs were due to become compulsory for all home sales from 1 June.

But Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly told MPs the packs would now be phased in, starting with sales of large homes.

She also said that initially sellers would only have to have commissioned a pack, rather than have a completed one, before marketing their property.

The delay comes after a judge, ruling on a legal challenge from surveyors, said the energy performance certificates should be left out of the packs ‘for the time being’.

Kelly said the delay meant the packs would be able to include the energy element, which would help to cut carbon emissions by highlighting areas where energy efficiency in a property could be improved.

The legal challenge from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors was based on what they said was a lack of proper consultation on the packs.

There have also been concerns that there are not enough people trained to carry out the environmental checks on properties.

Commenting on the announcement, CML director general, Michael Coogan said: “Todays hasty announcement marks the latest in a series of climb downs and pportunistic amendments. This cannot be an appropriate way to make policy.

“We support energy improvement measures. But, in our view, HIPs are not a prerequisite for delivering the green agenda. With the fundamental lack of confidence that now exists in them, we urge the government to ditch the gold-plating and concentrate on better ways of delivering its objectives.”