A consumers association has criticised the Law Society for stooping to scaremongering tactics to turn people against Home Information Packs (HIPs).

Yesterday, the Law Society said that HIPs would force homeowners to reveal security-sensitive details about properties put up for sale. See our lead story yesterday, Crime 'assistance' fear over home info packs

Today, Which? slammed the Law Society saying it was using the scare tactic to back it’s criticism of the packs in the Housing Bill, currently going through the House of Lords. The association said the Law Society should be producing evidence to back up its criticisms instead of relying on warnings that the packs could pose a security risk for celebrities like David Beckham.

Which? says that the Law Society's argument is spurious as there is no greater risk to security than at present. In fact, the introduction of HIPs should improve security as the packs will be policed by a statutory body when the bill goes through.

Which? has campaigned to improve the house buying market and is strongly supporting the introduction of home information packs. Each year, house buyers throw away £350 million because they lose out on homes that have poor survey results, one of a number of issues HIPs seeks to address.

The packs would provide people with vital information, including information on the condition of the house and details of local authority searches. Which? says the packs would cost around £500, should take one week to prepare and would be regulated by a statutory body. A Which? survey also shows there is strong support for the packs with 95 per cent of people saying they would find them useful.

Nick Stace, director of campaigns, Which? said:

"The Law Society's spurious claim about security risks for millionaire footballers is a red herring. Home Information Packs will provide home buyers with crucial information such as whether the roof is water tight or whether there are plans to build a motorway at the end of the garden.”

"This is 'need to know' information for people making the biggest financial decision of their life. The current housing market is unfair and our 'Move It' website is littered with stories of people who have fallen victim to professions making a lot of money out of their misery.”

"These packs give people more control over buying and selling their house - and it's puzzling that the Law Society would be against that."