Solicitors renewed their attack on the proposed home information packs this week as the House of Commons voted through a new version of the Housing Bill, which will reinstate the provision that the packs should be compulsory.

The new Bill did not include an amendment introduced by the Lords last week that would have made the packs voluntary.


The troubled passage of the Bill through Parliament will continue next week as it reaches the Lords for the second time - with solicitors hoping that the upper house will take a robust approach.


Denis Cameron, chairman of the Law Society's conveyancing and land law committee, said: 'I regret that the Commons has not properly considered the matter, after an intense debate and a good majority in the Lords. I hope that when it does go back to the Lords, they will continue to be robust.'


He added: 'This Bill is the nanny state at its worst, telling people what to do with their own houses... The way the government wants the packs delivered [with the costs not met until the property is sold] will be very difficult for solicitors and will drive the market towards one-stop property shops.'


Michael Garson, Law Society council member for residential conveyancing, said: 'Solicitors will be glad when this issue is resolved as we have been sitting on a cliff-edge for a long time now. The solution being offered in the legislation is far from perfect. It is an act of faith that in two years' time there will be properly qualified and insured home condition reporters, and that local searches will be available on-line and will be easily renewable at minimum cost.'


Housing minister Keith Hill said the government was now firmly on track to introduce the home information packs from 2007. He added: 'The real winner is the consumer, who has for so long received a raw deal in a market that is slow, wasteful and stressful.'