Rightmove has warned on future earnings

The move was prompted by a government decision to make home condition reports - a key element of Hips - voluntary, rather than compulsory.

Last week, Rightmove shares slumped after it warned earnings from Hips were likely to be "significantly lower" as a result of the decision.

But proponents of Hips told BBC News the packs still had a future.

Controversy

Ever since they were first proposed, Hips have been dogged by controversy.

Under the government's original plans, the packs were to contain a report into the condition of the property for sale - as well as information on title deeds, energy efficiency and local authority searches.

All this was to be done at the seller's expense, with a price tag estimated at close to �1,000.

But last week, the government said that the home condition report element of the pack would no longer be mandatory.

The home condition report was set to be by far the most expensive part of the pack.

Investment halted

Analysts have said that Rightmove 's future profits were in part predicated on successfully launching services to supply its users with Hips.

Last week, stockbroking firm Panmure Gordon said Rightmove's Hips business was now worthless - having previously valued it at �180m.

The dilution of Hips has led to the firm's decision to halt planned investment.

But according to Mike Ockenden of the Association of Home Information Pack Providers, Rightmove's decision did not signal that Hips were dead in the water.

"Rightmove had a very particular business model which meant investing heavily in Hips.

"However, members tell me that they are still committed to Hips and have plans in place with or without a mandatory home condition report," he said.