Due to move into my new home in Grove Park next Thursday. I have now been asked to send a copy of my building insurance schedule by my solicitor as as she informs me that she is duty bound to validate that it is in order for the mortgage company. What does the insurance need to cover?

Any lawyer on acting for lenders would need to check that the following risks are covered fire; lightning; aircraft; explosion; earthquake; storm; flood; escape of water or oil; riot; malicious damage; theft or attempted theft; falling trees and branches and aerials; subsidence; heave;landslip;collision;accidental damage to underground services;professional fees, demolition and site clearance costs; and public liability to anyone else. There are some other issues such as the level of excess that are set out in a lender’s UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook conditions. These obligations are not specific to conveyancing in Grove Park.

My wife and I purchased a terraced Victorian house in Grove Park. Conveyancing practitioner acted for me and Birmingham Midshires. I did a free Land Registry search last week and I saw two entries: one for freehold, the second leasehold with the exact same address. I thought I was buying a freehold how can I check?

You need to assess the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Grove Park and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they sell they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with mortgage companies. You can also enquire as to the position with the conveyancing solicitor who conducted the conveyancing.

How does conveyancing in Grove Park differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Grove Park approach us having been asked by the developer to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is constructed. This is because builders in Grove Park tend to acquire the real estate, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are accustomed to new build conveyancing in Grove Park or who has acted in the same development.

I am looking for a conveyancing practitioner in Grove Park for my remortgage. Can I see a solicitor's complaints history with the profession’s regulator?

Members of the public may find documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions resulting from investigations from 2008 onwards. Go to Check a solicitor's record. To find details about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a solicitors record, phone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. For non-uk callers, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator sometimes recorded call for training requirements.

I need to switch lawyers as my Grove Park lawyer is not on the lender's approved list of conveyancing solicitors. Is it practical to instruct different lawyers?

If you haven't yet instructed a solicitor to commence the conveyancing and at this stage simply received quotes, you're perfectly free to choose a different solicitor to carry out your work for you. The best way is to get recommendations from friends or family who have actually used the solicitor or conveyancer in Grove Park that you're thinking of instructing.