All properties marketed for sale after 14th December 2007 need a HIP.

A HIP includes documents that are required when homes are bought and sold. Some documents are mandatory and others optional.

The mandatory documents are:
An index (ie a list of the contents of the HIP)
A sale statement (summarising the terms of sale)
Evidence of title
Standard searches (ie local authority enquiries and a drainage and water search)
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
Commonhold information (where appropriate)
A copy of the lease (where appropriate)

Documents that are optional include:
A Home Condition Report (HCR)
Additional leasehold, information
Guarantees and warranties
Other searches relevant to the particular area
Who compiles HIPs?
Sellers can hire estate agents, solicitors, separate pack providers, or do it themselves.

This is not compulsary but it may help you sell your property more quickly if it shows that it is in good condition, or if it highlights any problems straight away for potential buyers.

If your house has not been taken off the market i.e. continuous marketing has occured, then no, you will not need to commission a HIP. If however, there was a break in marketing you will need to supply a HIP

Electrical certificates (past or present) are not a required component of the Pack, but can be included if the seller has them.

Maybe - If you are marketing your property, even if it's just by putting a 'for sale' sign in the window, you need a Pack. Sales where no marketing takes place, you won't need a Pack.

The seller must pay for the cost of a Home Information Pack.

There are various ways in which the pack can be paid for and the way in which it is paid for will also affect the cost of the pack.