Party Wall Surveys

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 sets out procedures to be followed when the owner of a property wishes to make alterations, or carry out other works, which affect a party wall with a neighbouring property or, sometimes, are within 6 metres of an adjoining building.

Notice must be served on the adjoining owner, and any risk of damage to that owner’s property must be properly dealt with when carrying out the works. It is normal to appoint a Party Wall Surveyor to decide what actions should be taken, or extra works carried out, to protect the adjoining owner’s property. Sometimes both sides appoint their own Party Wall Surveyor and the matter is agreed between them. An appointed surveyor must act in a totally impartial way. The relationship between the appointing owner and his appointed surveyor is not that of client and agent. It is a statutory relationship in which, once appointed, the surveyor’s duty is to see that the provisions of the Act are properly complied with.

A party wall can be either a wall standing on the land of two owners, to a greater extent than simply projecting foundations; or it can be so much of a wall as separates the buildings of two owners. Excavations for foundations, which go below the level of the foundations of a neighbouring building, can also be covered by the Act, depending on their distance away.

We can give advice on the workings of the Party Wall Act and can accept appointments as party wall surveyors.