The introduction of controversial Home Information Packs will be delayed until August, Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly announced today in parliament.

The packs were due to be compulsory for anyone wanting to sell their home from 1 June this year.

Kelly said the packs would be phased in starting with the sales of three and four-bedroom houses. Sellers will also only have to commission a pack, rather than have completed one, before marketing their houses for sale.

The packs will still include title deeds, any planning or building regulations and consents, an energy efficiency report, a local search and guarantees for any work on the property. The estimated cost of the packs is between £500 and £1,000.

The delay comes after a judge, ruling on a legal challenge from RICS that the government had not properly consulted the law, said the energy performance certificates should be left out "for the time being".

Kelly said the delay meant the packs would be able to include the energy report which would help to cut carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency.

Opponents of HIPs argue it will increase costs and will not prevent the number of home sales falling through. HIPS are also thought to be problematic as not enough people have been trained to carry out the environmental checks on properties.

The Lords are due to debate the packs on Tuesday.