Due to complete my purchase in Aston next Monday. I have now been asked to send a copy of my building insurance schedule by my solicitor as he says that he has to check this in his capacity as lawyer for the mortgage company. What does the insurance need to cover?

Any lawyer on acting for banks 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 unique to conveyancing in Aston.

Forgive me if this question is silly but I am wet behind the ears as a first time purchaser of a garden flat in Aston. Do I collect the keys to the premises on completion from my lawyer? If so, I will use a local conveyancing solicitor in Aston?

On the day of completion you will not be required to attend the conveyancers office in Aston. Conveyancing lawyers for you will arrange to send the completion advance to the owner’s lawyers, and once they have received this, you should be called to pick up the keys from the Estate Agents and move into your new home. This tends to happen early afternoon.

A colleague pointed out to me me that in purchasing a property in Aston there may be various restrictions limiting what one can do in terms of external alterations to the property. Is this right?

We are aware of anumerous of properties in Aston which have some sort of restriction or requirement of consent to carry out external variations. Part of the conveyancing in Aston should determine what restrictions are applicable and advising you as part of a ROT that should be sent to you.

We have agreed to purchase a house in Aston. One unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Co-operative have issued a mortgage offer so presumably this is not a concern to them. Why is my solicitor raising questions about the panel?

As your lender is Co-operative your lawyer must comply with the formal requirements contained in Section two of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Co-operative. The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook stipulates minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and property lawyers are required to report to Co-operative where a lease does not satisfy these conditions. The conditions relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales and is not limited to Aston.

I have been pointed in your direction by a number of property agents in Aston to select a solicitor using your seach tool. What’s the financial advantage for Estate Agents to recommend your services rather than alternative conveyancing organisations?

We don’t give any commission for sending work our way. We found it would be just too difficult a fee as members of the public would think, ‘Why is the agent getting a kickback? Why am I not getting any benefit too?’ We would prefer to grow our business on genuine recommendations.

I am using a search engine for the phrase on line conveyancing in Aston it brings up many solicitorslocally. With so much choice what is the best way to find the right conveyancer for my move?

The best method of choosing the right conveyancer is via trusted testimonial, so enquire of colleagues and family who have bought a property in Aston or a reputable estate agent or financial adviser. Charges for conveyancing in Aston differ, so it's sensible to obtain a minimum of three costs illustrations from different conveyancers. Make sure that you know that the fees are fixed.

Why can I not complete my conveyancing in Aston on Easter Monday?

Because on completion the purchase price needs to pass between the banks of the purchaser and owner’s conveyancer and at present this can only happen on a business day. So you can't complete on a saturday or sunday either.