PARTY WALL MATTERS
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is a safeguard for attached neighbours when one wants to do work to their property which could affect the other/s. This law imposes duties on those with an interest in one building to notify their neighbour of their intention to carry out works which might affect a party structure like a chimney, or a party wall (including garden walls). Duties are also imposed where a neighbour’s foundations might be affected.
The Act covers three distinct types of work; alterations to party structures (usually walls but may also be floors), the construction of new walls at the boundary and excavation close to neighbouring properties.
These are some typical examples of work that is likely to be covered by the Act:
• Cutting beams in to a party wall as part of a loft conversion
• Removing chimney breasts that are attached to a party wall
• Excavating for the foundations to a new extension within 3m of a neighbouring or shared structure
• Underpinning a party wall to facilitate a basement extension
• General extensions
• Removal of internal walls
• Cutting into a party wall
• Roof alterations
• Garden landscaping
If you are considering having works done to your property which might affect a party wall, party structure or your neighbour’s foundations don’t just go ahead without finding out what your duties are. You could end up with a court injunction stopping your work.
Typically notices will be needed, a schedule of condition of the Adjoining Owner’s property and/or the party structure is usually undertaken, all leading to a Party Wall Award. This protects the rights of the neighbour, makes identification of new defects (eg cracks) simple and can agree things such as site working hours, method and noise.
If the adjoining owner’s consent is not forthcoming the parties are deemed to be ‘in dispute’ under the Act and surveyors must be appointed so that the dispute can be resolved by way of a Party Wall Agreement (technically called an ‘Award’).
If the two appointed surveyors fail to agree upon any of the issues in dispute they can make a referral to a previously selected Third Surveyor.
If you are planning on undertaking work that falls within the scope of the Act or have received a notice informing you of proposed works that may affect your property you are very welcome to contact us for some advice.
Services and Costs:
Adjoining Owners Surveyor Services:
If your neighbour is planning building works and you are worried about the impact they might have on your property, or if you have received a Party Wall Notice and feel unsure about how to respond, please feel free to give us a call and we would be happy to help. Under the Act all our fees are payable by the owner undertaking the works so there will be no cost to yourself.
Building Owners Surveyor Services:
Service of Notice
Are you are planning to undertake building works which require a notice and need someone to undertake this on your behalf to ensure the notice is valid? We can draft and send any notices for £50.00+vat per adjoining owner.
Are you unsure if your works are notifiable? We can check your plans and tell you whether your works require a notice free of charge. All you need to do is send a copy of your plans to us.
Schedule Of Condition
Whether to be undertaken as part of an Award or for a consent, all our schedules of condition are undertaken to the highest standard. With prices starting at just £250.00 + vat and availability around your neighbours schedule, please contact us via phone or email for a fixed fee quote for your project.
Award
The award is the legal documentation allowing you to undertake your building works and we can offer a fixed fee which stays the same whether acting as the agreed surveyor or with another surveyor. Our award costs start from as little as £395.00 + vat depending on the works being undertaken and we can offer discounts if there are multiple neighbours who require awards.
You can get a Quote for Party Wall Surveyor services here or, give us a call on 01823 429823 and you can discuss the best option for you.
PARTY WALL MATTERS
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is a safeguard for attached neighbours when one wants to do work to their property which could affect the other/s. This law imposes duties on those with an interest in one building to notify their neighbour of their intention to carry out works which might affect a party structure like a chimney, or a party wall (including garden walls). Duties are also imposed where a neighbour’s foundations might be affected.
The Act covers three distinct types of work; alterations to party structures (usually walls but may also be floors), the construction of new walls at the boundary and excavation close to neighbouring properties.
These are some typical examples of work that is likely to be covered by the Act:
• Cutting beams in to a party wall as part of a loft conversion
• Removing chimney breasts that are attached to a party wall
• Excavating for the foundations to a new extension within 3m of a neighbouring or shared structure
• Underpinning a party wall to facilitate a basement extension
• General extensions
• Removal of internal walls
• Cutting into a party wall
• Roof alterations
• Garden landscaping
If you are considering having works done to your property which might affect a party wall, party structure or your neighbour’s foundations don’t just go ahead without finding out what your duties are. You could end up with a court injunction stopping your work.
Typically notices will be needed, a schedule of condition of the Adjoining Owner’s property and/or the party structure is usually undertaken, all leading to a Party Wall Award. This protects the rights of the neighbour, makes identification of new defects (eg cracks) simple and can agree things such as site working hours, method and noise.
If the adjoining owner’s consent is not forthcoming the parties are deemed to be ‘in dispute’ under the Act and surveyors must be appointed so that the dispute can be resolved by way of a Party Wall Agreement (technically called an ‘Award’).
If the two appointed surveyors fail to agree upon any of the issues in dispute they can make a referral to a previously selected Third Surveyor.
If you are planning on undertaking work that falls within the scope of the Act or have received a notice informing you of proposed works that may affect your property you are very welcome to contact us for some advice.
Services and Costs:
Adjoining Owners Surveyor Services:
If your neighbour is planning building works and you are worried about the impact they might have on your property, or if you have received a Party Wall Notice and feel unsure about how to respond, please feel free to give us a call and we would be happy to help. Under the Act all our fees are payable by the owner undertaking the works so there will be no cost to yourself.
Building Owners Surveyor Services:
Service of Notice
Are you are planning to undertake building works which require a notice and need someone to undertake this on your behalf to ensure the notice is valid? We can draft and send any notices for £50.00+vat per adjoining owner.
Are you unsure if your works are notifiable? We can check your plans and tell you whether your works require a notice free of charge. All you need to do is send a copy of your plans to us.
Schedule Of Condition
Whether to be undertaken as part of an Award or for a consent, all our schedules of condition are undertaken to the highest standard. With prices starting at just £250.00 + vat and availability around your neighbours schedule, please contact us via phone or email for a fixed fee quote for your project.
Award
The award is the legal documentation allowing you to undertake your building works and we can offer a fixed fee which stays the same whether acting as the agreed surveyor or with another surveyor. Our award costs start from as little as £395.00 + vat depending on the works being undertaken and we can offer discounts if there are multiple neighbours who require awards.
You can get a Quote for Party Wall Surveyor services here or, give us a call on 01823 429823 and you can discuss the best option for you.
