Party Wall Act

It is a legal requirement when you carry out works to your property to comply with the Party Wall Act, 1996.

Works such as the following fall under the Act:

• Excavations within 3m of an adjoining property.
• Extending party walls, such as dormers to loft conversions.
• Installation of beams into party walls.
• Demolition of chimneys.
• Works on boundaries.

Other woks that may disturb or affect the adjoining property and their boundaries.

The Party Wall Act 1996 explanatory booklet https://www.gov.uk/party-wall-etc-act-1996-guidance gives further information.

Building Owner

We assess proposals and advice on the notices to be served and the need for further drawings or information.

The necessary notices are then prepared and served to the adjoining following and a condition survey of the neighbour’s buildings is prepared.

If required we will prepare a Party Wall Award and agree terms with the adjoining owner’s surveyor or act as Agreed surveyor if appointed.

Should any problems arise during the work, we will re-inspect the property and advice on the appropriate action to be taken.

Adjoining Owner

We examine the notices submitted by the Building owner to assess the risks from the proposed works, examine the building to prepare a record of condition with the building owner’s surveyor and negotiate a Party Wall Award.

On completion of the work we will re-inspect your property to ensure compliance with the award and if notified of any problems during the course of the building work, we will inspect and take appropriate action.

Agreed Surveyor

Often an owner wants to protect his property, but does not object to the proposals and will be happy for us to act as the Agreed surveyor after receiving the Party Wall Notices. This involves assessing the construction and its affect on the adjoining building, the preparation of a record of condition and Party Wall Award.