Party Wall Services
We are Specialist Party Wall Surveyors and a member of the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors. FPWS.
Our office covers: Kent Essex Sussex & London.
We act for the building owners but also in many cases act as Party Wall Surveyors for adjoining owners, providing advice where a neighbour has served a notice of their intention to undertake works to the party wall or to carry out excavation works.
As we specialise in construction and Party Wall matters this means we can be highly focused on your Party Wall etc. Act needs. We appreciate fully the need for swift work and resolution so that developments may both start and continue to completion.
Are you a Building Owner carrying out a Loft conversion? Extension? Chimney breast removal?
Please get in touch with us for advice on how best to deal with your party wall matter.
Call - 07903964723
Or use the contact below.
There are many reasons why you may need a Party Wall Surveyor with regards to a party wall, these could include any of the following:
.Taking out chimney breasts on the Party Wall.
.Putting in a loft conversion.
.Extending your property.
.Carrying out works to a Party Wall
.Carrying out excavations within 3 to 6 metres of an adjoining property
.Building on the boundary line
.Repairs to Party Fence Walls
.Boundary Wall Disputes
If you're thinking of any of the above, then you will need to ensure any work you do adheres to The Party Wall Act etc 1996.
Adjoining Owner
What to do if you receive a notice:
If you are an Adjoining Owner and you receive a notice under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, you will have 14 days to carefully consider how to safeguard your interests. If you do not respond or appoint a surveyor within this time period a further 10 day notice will be served, requesting that you do. The following three options are available to an Adjoining Owner upon receipt of a Notice:
Consent to the Notice: If an Adjoining Owner is satisfied that there will be no damage or consequences to his/her property, then he/she may consent to the Notice and the Building Owner will be able to proceed with his/her proposed work without an Award being necessary.
Dissent to the Notice and appoint your own surveyor: The Adjoining Owner’s Surveyor will liaise with the Building Owner’s Surveyor and will prepare an award authorising the proposed works.
Dissent to the Notice and concur in the appointment of an Agreed Surveyor: If the Adjoining Owner is happy for a single surveyor to represent both parties’ interests, then he/she will act impartially to draw up an Award.
Source - FPWS.org.uk
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Understanding the terms used within the Party Wall Act
The Party Wall Act – Common terms:
Party Wall
A party wall (or floor) divides and separates buildings belonging to different owners. The wall might straddle the boundary line or be wholly within the boundary of one owner’s land but still functions as dividing wall between buildings.
Party Fence Wall
A wall that is not part of a building but is on land that belongs to several different owners eg a garden wall. Wooden fences are not considered a party fence wall.
Line of Junction
Similar to a boundary line that divides the lands of Adjoining Owners, the line of junction also extends upwards.
Building Owner
The owner who is proposing to carry out works falling within the scope of the Act.
Adjoining Owner
The owner of an adjoining property that may be affected by the proposed works
Party Wall Surveyor
The person appointed by either or both owners. A Party Wall Surveyor will be impartial throughout the process and will resolve – to the satisfaction of all parties concerned – any disputes arising in connection to the works.
Building Owner Surveyor
The surveyor appointed by the Building Owner who is proposing the works.
Adjoining Owner Surveyor
The surveyor appointed by the owner of an adjoining property.
Agreed Surveyor
The surveyor appointed jointly by the Building Owner and Adjoining Owner.
Third Surveyor
The surveyor selected by the Building Owner Surveyor and Adjoining Owner Surveyor before works commence. The Third Surveyor will be involved only in the event that there is a matter that can’t be resolved by the Building Owner Surveyor.
Notices
Formal written notice by the Building Owner setting out the proposed works and served on the Adjoining Owner. The Building Owner must observe the minimum period of notice required.
Schedule of Condition
A formal written assessment and photographic record of the condition of the Adjoining Owner’s property before work commences. It’s important that this includes any existing defects or issues that could later be claimed as damage resulting from the works.
Award
A legal document, prepared by the surveyor(s), that sets out:
- Details of all parties involved
- The applicable sections of the Party Wall Act
- How the works will be carried out
- The rights and requirements of the Building Owner, Adjoining Owner and appointed surveyor
- Specific clauses relating to the works