FURY today erupted among York estate agents over the Government's decision to scrap the controversial survey element of their Home Information Packs.

Yvette Cooper, the Minister for Housing and Planning, said further testing of Home Condition Reports was needed to ensure they delivered benefits for consumers.

There were also concerns that there wouldn't be enough trained inspectors to cope with demand if the reports were included in the HIP launch next June.

But Kevin Hollinrake, joint chief executive of Hunters Estate Agents, said: "We are not very happy about it. We have invested £50,000 in staff training, research and trials in our offices. We are a local business and £50,000 is a lot of money to us.

"We've been obliged to invest time and money to make sure we have a full understanding of the new legislation. Businesses need to know the money they invest is going to bring rewards."

He said HIPs hinged on the inclusion of the Home Condition Report.

He added: "That is what is of interest to a buyer and that is what is of interest to a seller.

"Without it the HIP is a futile exercise and if the Government has any sense it will now scrap the whole thing."

Reuben Barrett, branch manager of Otisdale, said: "I am very disappointed. The Government is eroding the idea behind HIPs under pressure from a lot of people, but the idea is actually a good one.

"Most people would have a survey done anyway before they buy a property, so the idea of a seller paying is really only transferring the cost.

"The fact that they are going to scrap that means we are back where we are today. It's a shame for the market because it was the largest part of the HIP."

In a written statement to Parliament, Yvette Cooper said HIPs would still be introduced without mandatory Home Condition Reports. She said the Government would look at a market-led take-up of the reports, and people who had them would benefit from faster sales with fewer transactions falling through.

HIPs have come in for fierce criticism with claims they risk destabilising the housing market and that their cost would deter people from putting their home on the market.