Party Wall Matters
What is the Party Wall Act?
The Party Wall Act is effective during three types of construction work, the first being work carried out to an existing shared (party) wall, when building new structures across the boundary of two or more properties and when excavating within close proximity of a neighbours building or structure. If you intend to carry out such work, you'll need to serve the neighbouring property with a Party Wall Notice.
Typical notifiable works under the Act:
-
An extension (rear, side or loft)
-
A conversion (basement, garage or loft)
-
Demolition or alteration of shared floors/ceilings
-
Roofing works and removal of chimney breast
-
Building boundary/garden walls
-
Excavating for foundations within close proximity
The Party Wall Process
Following the notice and its response, surveyors or an agreed surveyor is appointed who will then record the condition of the Adjoining Owners property in a detailed report known as a Schedule of Condition report which will act as proof of the existing condition to determine whether any damage has been caused when works are complete.
The surveyor/s will then collate all the information provided by the design team as well as any method statements or risk assessments from the contractor to produce a Party Wall Award which sets out all parties' rights and obligations including any restrictions, risk mitigation measures, the specific details of the notifiable works that are to be carried out, noisy work hours that are permitted and the surveyors fees payable by the party undertaking the works. The notifiable works can commence once the Award has been served upon all parties.
If you or your neighbour are intending to carry out notifiable works under the Act, contact our expert team of qualified and experienced Party Wall Surveyors for initial advice on your project or simply fill in the form below to obtain or a fixed, no-obligation Party Wall Service quotation.