Me and my partner are purchasing our first home. Our property lawyer has e-mailedto enquire if we would like to take out extra conveyancing searches. As novices we in the dark as to what's necessary for conveyancing in Dockland Settlement

The number and type of Dockland Settlement conveyancing searches depends primarily on the property, the location, the probability of any of these risks, your familiarity of the area and risks, your overall appetite to risk. What is important is that you adequately appreciate what information each search could give you. Then you can make a decision if you consider that you need that information. If unsure, ask the property lawyer to recommend.

My brother-in-law has suggested I instruct a conveyancing solicitor in Dockland Settlement. I I am struggling to find out whether they are on the Barclays conveyancing panel. Could you help?

The first thing to do is call your lawyer and ask them if they are on the lender panel. Otherwise you can call Barclays who may be able to confirm.

This question may be naive but I am wet behind the ears as a first time buyer of a garden flat in Dockland Settlement. Do I collect the keys to the house on completion from my solicitor? If so, I will appoint a local conveyancing solicitor in Dockland Settlement?

There is no need to visit the lawyers office on the day of completion. Your solicitors will electronically transfer the completion advance to the vendor’s conveyancers, and shortly after the monies have arrived, you will be invited to receive the keys from the property Agents and start moving into the property. Usually this occurs between 1 and 3pm.

I am purchasing a victorian detached house in Dockland Settlement. We would like to carry out a loft conversion at the house.Will the conveyancing process involve enquiries to see if these alterations are permitted?

Your solicitor will review the deeds as conveyancing in Dockland Settlement will sometimes reveal restrictions in the title deeds which prohibit certain changes or need the consent of a 3rd party. Some extensions require local authority planning permissions and approval in accordance building regulations. Certain locations are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which often prevent or affect extensions. You should check these things with a surveyor ahead of any purchase.

When it comes to lenders such as Bank of Ireland, do Dockland Settlement solicitors face an annual charge to be on the list of approved solicitors?

We are unaware of any bank fees to be on their list of approved firms, although some do levy an administration fee to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel application.

I have todaydiscovered that Stirling Law have been shut down. They carried out my conveyancing in Dockland Settlement for a purchase of a leasehold apartment 18 months ago. How can I check that the property is registered correctly in the name of the former proprietor?

The quickest method to check if the property is in your name, you can carry out a search of the land registry (£3.00). You can either do this yourself or ask a law firm to do this for you. If you are not registered you can seek help from one of a number of Dockland Settlement conveyancing specialists.

I have been sourcing a conveyancing practitioner in Dockland Settlement for my home move. Can I check a solicitor's record with the profession’s regulator?

Members of the public can see documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions arising 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 history, ring 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. For non-uk callers, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator sometimes monitor telephone calls for training purposes.