Home Information Packs will become mandatory in June 2007

The packs are set to become a part of the home-buying process, with people selling homes needing to have surveys done before putting properties on sale.

Southampton, Newcastle, Northampton, Bath, Huddersfield and Cambridge have been named as the six test areas.

The pilot begins in November and is set to highlight any glitches before the packs become mandatory in June 2007.

The now voluntary home condition report will also be included in the pilot.

We are confident that there will be a huge demand Paul Broadhead Deputy director of AHIPP

The new Home Information Packs (HIPs) will shift the emphasis from the buyer to the seller to collate information about the property before it is sold.

Paul Broadhead, deputy director general of the Association of Home Information Pack Providers - a trade body representing more than 40 members in conveyancing, estate agency and HIP provision - said the locations were chosen as they offer a good mix of housing stock and a fair representation of supply and demand.

He said: "This roll-out is vital to the future success of HIPs and offers consumers in the six locations an opportunity to experience the value of packs ahead of full introduction.

"Once consumers are introduced to packs and realise their worth we are confident that there will be a huge demand."

Last month Housing Minister Yvette Cooper announced that the controversial home condition report needed further testing and would not come into force in June 2007.

The packs will include:

• Terms of sale
• Evidence of title
• Copies of planning, listed building or building regulations consents
• A local search
• Guarantees for any work on the property
• An energy performance certificate.