Party Walls

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I am able to assist you in dealing with the Party Wall etc Act 1996.  This is an Act of Parliament that regulates certain types of building work that could affect your neighbours.  Such work includes work includes the following:-

• Work to shared walls (party walls), for example, loft conversions often involve cutting into the party wall to install steel beams. 
• Excavation for foundations within 3 to 6 metres of your neighbour, for example, when constructing a rear extension.
• New boundary walls.

I have over 15 years experience acting as a party wall surveyor for mainly residential building projects.  There are three main party wall surveyor roles that I am able to assist you with.

Adjoining Owner's Surveyor

You are entitled to appoint a surveyor to act on your behalf if your neighbour is carrying out building works that come under the Act.  They have a responsibility to serve notice on you and you have the legal right to appoint a surveyor to act for you.  The surveyor's main role is  to prepare a Party Wall Award which regulates how your neighbour goes about their building works to limit damage to your property and inconvenience to yourself.  The Award also includes a schedule of condition of your property before the building works start.  In normal circumstances your neighbour will be responsible for paying the fees of the surveyor you appoint.

Building Owner's Surveyor

If you are carrying out certain types of building work that come under the Act you have a responsibility to serve Party Wall Notices on any neighbours who may be affected by the works.  I can serve the notices on your behalf and depending on how your neighbours respond can prepare the Party Wall Award and serve this on each neighbour.  

Agreed Surveyor

An agreed surveyor is a party wall surveyor who is shared between the two owners.  This is suitable for smaller projects where a competent surveyor will be able to regulate the matter impartially between the two parties concerned.

Further details of the party wall process can be found on the RICS website (click on the photo).