Home information packs could force sellers to disclose information, such as details of the house's security systems, ahead of the sale, warns the Law Society.

The government plans to introduce home information packs in the Housing Bill, which is currently being considered by parliamentarians. Home information packs will provide very detailed information about people’s homes including such items as security systems. Unless specifically excluded by from the pack, such information could provide criminals easy access to useful information.

Under proposed legislation, any member of the public, whether they intend to buy the home or not, will be able to insist on getting a copy of the home information pack. This could be open to serious abuse by burglars, stalkers and snoopers, says the society.

Property sellers face breaking the law if they give misleading, inaccurate or incomplete information in the packs, previously called sellers’ packs.

The Law Society has urged the government to make the packs voluntary. Ms Paraskeva Law Society Chief Executive said: "If home information packs are appealing to consumers, market demand will see them adopted. If the packs are compulsory, homeowners will have no choice but include this additional information at the outset of marketing properties.”

The Housing Bill containing the Home Information Pack proposal is currently going through the House of Lords. The Law Society, like many in the industry, also wants the government to drop the Home Information Pack proposals for commercial reasons.