Party Wall Matters
The Act provides a procedural framework to facilitate construction works and protect adjacent structures.
As specialist party wall surveyors, MSA can offer all the assistance and advice needed to ensure that the procedures of the Act are properly dealt with in a timely and thorough manner, whether acting as the appointed surveyor for the building owner, or the adjoining owner or as an agreed party wall surveyor.
Based in Enfield, North London, MSA have administered an extensive number of party wall matters ranging from simple domestic works to large and complex developments requiring services such as party wall advice and help with agreements and help to resolve party wall disputes. Our team of party wall survey specialists are qualified and equipped to attend to all party wall related matters.
The Party Wall Act applies to a wide range of building works, some examples of works that would fall under the Act include:
– Excavation works for domestic extensions, new builds, retaining walls, underpinning, basements and piling
– Cutting into or away from party structures to facilitate the removal of chimneybreasts, insertion of steel beams, loft conversions, rearrangement of internal layouts, wholescale refurbishment and adaptation of buildings
– Constructing new party walls at boundaries whether wholly on one side or as a new party wall shared between the owners to form a rear extension.
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The process starts with service of specific notices under the Act by the building owner carrying out the works or a party wall surveyor on their behalf. It is very important to ensure that these notices are accurately served to ensure the subsequent process is valid. MSA provide a very cost-effective notice writing service, please click on our Notice Writing Service tab for more information.
Party Wall Agreements
In response to a notice an adjoining owner has the right to consent to the works, dissent and appoint an independent party wall surveyor or dissent and appoint an Agreed Surveyor.
If surveyors are appointed, the relevant structural works will be reviewed with reference to drawings, engineering details, method statements, etc, where appropriate.
The surveyors will also carry out a schedule of condition of the adjoining owner’s property within the vicinity of the works to record any current defects. This provides a useful reference point if there is an allegation of damage as part of a party wall disagreement.
The culmination of the process is the service of a party wall award, sometimes mistakenly referred to as third party wall agreements. An award is a legally binding agreement which sets out the rights and duties of the parties in order to facilitate the works and safeguard the neighbouring property. The award addresses matters such as confirmation of the notifiable works, protection measures, access requirements, timings of works, allocating costs and more.
Usually towards the completion of the works, a re-inspection of the adjoining owner’s property is carried out to confirm if damage has or has not occurred.
In many cases party wall matters can progress smoothly, especially when neighbourly relations are amicable. However there are instances where potential issues and disputes can arise requiring the expertise of an experienced surveyor specialising in party walls, such as works undertaken without notice, damage to property, works to the boundary, access, enclosure costs, security of expenses and more. Our team is experienced in helping to build new third party wall agreements that work for everyone involved.
Whether a building owner, adjoining owner or representative consultant, please feel free to call one our experienced party wall surveyors for further advice regarding party wall agreements and related topics. We offer our services across London, including central London, Islington, Brent, Hackney and more, as well as the surrounding areas.
Please click on our News and Resources page for downloadable material containing advice on Party Wall matters in line with Act 1996.
If you require advice or guidance around a party wall dispute or any other related matter, please contact our team in Enfield to discuss your requirements in more detail.