Hips have been widely criticised by some in the property industry

The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) says fewer large properties are on the market than would be normal at this time of year.

Since September, all properties in England and Wales with three or more bedrooms have required a Hip before they can be sold.

The government insists the packs are bringing benefits to consumers.

Anomaly

The NAEA asked its members to compare the market this October with the the same time last year.

There is an anomaly between instructions on properties where a Hip is required and where one is not Peter Bolton King, chief executive, NAEA

More than three-quarters of those who responded said instructions for properties with three or more bedrooms were down by more than 10%. Of those, almost half had seen a drop of more than 30%.

There was a much smaller reduction in the number of instructions received for one or two-bedroom properties.

"Clearly everyone accepts that there are a number of financial and economic factors that have caused the market to take a breather after seven hectic years," said NAEA chief executive Peter Bolton King.

"However, these figures show that there is an anomaly between instructions on properties where a Hip is required and where one is not," he added.

PACKS INCLUDE: An energy performance certificate Copies of planning, listed building or building regulations consents Local searches Guarantees for any work on the property Q&A: Hips explained

The survey also asked agents to compare their overall levels of stock with October 2007. Seventy-six percent said their stock was either at the same level or less.

"With sales slowing and normally a traditional autumn bulge in instructions, it would be normal to expect stock levels to be significantly higher," said Mr Bolton King.

'Futile campaign'

"This once again appears to show the adverse effect Hips are having on the market, the lives of consumers and indeed the overall economy."

The Association of Hip Providers (Ahipp) accused the NAEA of waging a "futile campaign" to try to get the packs scrapped.

"With the ongoing credit squeeze, the first run on a bank since the depression and three interest rate rises since the beginning of the year, it is not surprising that the market has experienced some turbulence," said deputy director general Paul Broadhead.

A spokesman for the Department of Communities and Local Government also rejected the NAEA's analysis.

"All serious commentators recognise that it is wider issues, such as interest rates and other economic facts, that are impacting on the housing market," he said.

"Hips are providing more early information into the market for consumers - that is a good thing."