In England and Wales, from the from 10th September 2007, a Home Information Pack (HIP) is a compulsory requirement for a seller of a residential property with three or more bedrooms.

A Home Information Pack must be made available to an interested Buyer, and a property will not be able to be marketed for sale unless a HIP is available (subject to certain exceptions).

A HIP will have to contain: -

Details of the title to the property;
Local and water searches;
Details of leasehold information;
An energy performance certificate;

A HIP may also contain

Any other searches that the seller may wish to include, to the benefit of a potential buyer;
Meaning and Commentary on legal title;
Any replies to enquiries and fixtures and fittings lists;