The introduction of home information packs was yesterday set for June 1 2007, despite fears that the market could be disrupted in its busiest season.

The date was criticised by the Council of Mortgage Lenders, which said sellers would flood the market before then in order to avoid paying up to £1,000 for the packs, which include documents on the condition of the home and eliminate the need for buyers to carry out surveys.

The CML said: "This will coincide with the housing market busy period, and could result in some unwelcome effects during the transition to the new regime."

It claimed the period between October 2007 and January 2008 would be the best time for the system to be enforced.

However, the Government said it had weighed up various views from across the industry in deciding on the date and believed it represented the "best balance".

A spokeswoman for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said it would provide certainty to organisations drawing up the packs and those training as home inspectors. She said: "June 1 2007 has been chosen because having listened to views from across the industry we are satisfied that this represents the best balance between the various interests.

"It provides the industry with the time needed to ensure that HIPs can be implemented smoothly and successfully and deliver real improvements for consumers."

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors said the date would give certainty to the market, although it described the timeframe as "tight" since only a handful of candidates had qualified as home inspectors.

RICS spokesman Jeremy Leaf said: "If we are to ensure the reforms are implemented as effectively as possible we need to pull together to deliver sufficient numbers of suitably qualified and experienced practitioners who enjoy public confidence."