I am hoping to complete my purchase in Goodrich next Tuesday. 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 risks does the mortgage company expect the insurance 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 Part 2 requirements. These obligations are not unique to conveyancing in Goodrich.

We are purchasing a property in Goodrich. It might be a silly question but how we can trust a conveyancer? At some point we have to send funds into their account. What is the protection we have from them run away with our money?

Be assured that all money in a Solicitors client account is 100% safe, and even if your Solicitor ran off with it, the Law Society would reimburse you fully.

I happen to be the only beneficiary of my late grandmother’s will and I have everything in my name alone, including the my former home in Goodrich. Conveyancing formalities meant that the Land Registry date was in October. I plan to dispose of the property. I understand that there is a Mortgage Lenders six month 'rule', which means that my property ownership may be regarded the same way as though I had purchased the property in October. Will no one buy the property for half a year?

The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ handbook instructs conveyancers to: "report to us immediately if the owner or registered proprietor has been registered for less than six months." By the strict wording you might be caught by that. many mortgage companies would take a practical view as this clause is principally there to identify the purchase and immediately sell or the wholesaling and assigning of properties.

I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property in Goodrich off the council. I have a mortgage agreed with HSBC. Conveyancing is new to me. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should use one. Any advice?

It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with HSBC, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the HSBC conveyancing panel.

Various web forums that I have frequented warn that are the main reason for stalling in Goodrich conveyancing transactions. Is that correct?

The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) released determinations of a review by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not figure amongst the top 10 causes of hindrances in the conveyancing process. Searches are not likely to feature in any holding up conveyancing in Goodrich.

I am 3 weeks into a residential purchase having been referred to solicitors by the estate agent to carry out the conveyancing in Goodrich. I am not happy. Could you you assist me in finding new lawyers?

A lawyer would need to be really poor in order to consider changing them. Has the mortgage been issued? If so you need to advise them of the replacement lawyer and ensure the mortgage documents are re-issued. The solicitor ideally needs to be on the lenders panel to avoid supplemental expenses and frustration. So that should be your starting point. Our find a solicitor tool should assist you in finding a bank approved solicitor for your home move in Goodrich

My partner is purchasing a leasehold property in Goodrich. Conveyancing quotes are averaging around £1650. Is that in the right ballpark?

The average fee last year for conveyancing in Goodrich was £1,419 excluding SDLT and HMLR fees.