Whether you’re the one undertaking the works (Building Owner) or the one who has received a Party Wall notice (Adjoining Owner) Our Chartered Surveyors are happy to assist. We offer our services throughout Kent, London, Essex, Surrey, Sussex and the surrounding areas.
What is a party wall?
The Party Wall etc Act 1996 is a framework that is aimed at facilitating notifiable works, protecting interests of all affected parties and to prevent or resolve disputes. Further information on the Party Wall etc Act 1996 and how we can support you in this regard can be found below.
Please watch the video below with a brief explanation of The Party Wall etc Act 1996.
If you are undertaking the building works (Building Owner)
If you are planning to undertake building works to the party wall, party structure or excavate within a close proximity of the neighbouring properties then you are considered to be a Building Owner under the definition of the Party Wall etc Act 1996. During the initial stage we can assist by studying your drawings, preparing, and serving any relevant Party Wall notices to all Adjoining Owners.
Based on the response given to the Party Wall notices, we can then progress matters by undertaking a Schedule of Condition on each affected Adjoining Owner’s property and if required prepare a Party Wall Award.
If you are a Building Owner and would like expert advice from one of our Chartered Surveyors and support in this regard, then please do not hesitate to contact us.
If you are adjoining the party wall works (Adjoining Owner)
If you have been served with Party Wall notices then you are an Adjoining Owner under the Party Wall etc act 1996.
We can act on your behalf as an Adjoining Owner Surveyor and assist with all matters, from explaining the process, acting as a main point of contact, conducting a Schedule of Condition of your property and assisting with the preparation of a Party Wall Award.
In the majority of cases Surveyors fees will be covered by the Building Owners who are undertaking the works so our appointment will not be at any cost to you.
Types of notifyable works
Below are some examples of the notifiable works which would normally fall within the remit of the Party Wall etc Act 1996:
- Demolition, rebuilding or raising a shared party wall.
- Cutting into the party wall, for example to insert structural beams or a damp proof course, typically for a loft conversion.
- Cutting away projections from a party wall, including chimney breasts or chimney stacks. Typically to remove chimney breasts within the property.
- To undertake works to the party structure between flats, including floors and ceilings.
- Excavation works typically within 3 or 6 metres of the neighbouring foundations, subject to the proposed depth for the purposes of creating foundations. Typically for extensions and basement conversions.
- Erecting or building a wall or a party fence wall up to or astride the boundary line between two or more properties.
Service of party wall notices
Once the notices are served, the Adjoining Owners will then have a period of 14 days to respond to the notices by either:
- Consenting to the works, subject to a Schedule of Condition.
- Dissenting to the works and choose to use an Agreed Surveyor (an impartial Surveyor who will act on behalf of all parties).
- Dissenting to the works and choose to appoint another surveyor (known as the Adjoining Owner Surveyor).
- If no response is made within the elapsed time period, the neighbour is deemed to have dissented and entered a dispute. In this case, a Party Wall Surveyor will be appointed on their behalf by the other party under section 10 (4) of the Party Wall etc Act 1996.
Our Chartered Surveyors specialise in Party Wall matters and if you require any assistance in this matter please feel free to contact us.
Further advice and guidance
- GOV.UK Party Wall Explanatory Booklet: The Party Wall etc Act 1996: explanatory booklet.
- Party Wall Legislation: Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
- RICS Consumer Guide: RICS Party Wall etc Act 1996 Guide.
