Party.Wall.Surveyors.
Party Wall Surveyors
Often overlooked, the Party Wall Act protects adjoining owners against potential damage to their property as a result of certain types of neighbouring building work. Similarly, it also protects the individual or company undertaking the work from false or exaggerated claims from resultant damage. The Act is separate from obtaining planning permission or building regulations approval.
What Triggers the Party Wall Act?
The Party Wall Act is triggered by works that involve:
- Constructing a new building on or at the boundary of two properties
- Work to an existing party wall or party structure
- Excavation near to and below the foundation level of neighbouring buildings
If your planned works fall within the Act you are legally required to serve a Statutory Notice on all those defined in the Act as ‘adjoining owners’.
Typically, works that will require Party Wall Notices to be issued include (but are not limited to):
- Building a new wall on or at the boundary of two properties
- Cutting into a party wall
- Making a party wall taller, shorter or deeper
- Removing chimney breasts from a party wall
- Knocking down and rebuilding a party wall
- Digging below the foundation level of a neighbour’s property
Ensuring compliance with the Act and serving Notices on neighbouring property/land owners can often seem an overwhelming prospect.
Added to this, there is also the possibility that your neighbours may not initially consent to the works. By engaging a Party Wall Surveyor clients can be assured peace of mind, knowing that their duties under the Party Wall Act will be fulfilled by a professional.
Nick Brown (FRICS) is our resident Party Wall Surveyor and has provided Party Wall surveys and advice to a wide variety of residential and commercial clients across the UK.
He is an active member of the Pyramus & Thisbe Club (founded in 1974), promoting excellence in Party Wall practice. Nick is proud to be a part of the editorial team for their industry magazine, ‘Whispers’.
If you suspect that your planned works may trigger the Party Wall Act, please do not hesitate to get in touch for a free informal chat.
Additionally, if you wish to first familiarise yourself with the Act, read the Government approved Explanatory Booklet
GET IN TOUCH
