Party Wall Surveyors

The Party Wall etc Act 1996 provides a framework for preventing and resolving disputes in relation to party walls, boundary walls and excavations near neighbouring buildings. A building owner proposing to start work covered by the Act must give adjoining owners notice of their intentions in the way set down in the Act. Adjoining owners can agree or disagree with what is proposed. Where they disagree, the Act provides a mechanism for resolving disputes. The act covers work that may include:

The building owner must serve a notice and obtain the effected adjoining owner(s) consent; This can involve many owners, for example where the property is a flat. Notices are usually prepared by a Party Wall Surveyor. If consent is obtained the work can proceed. If the neighbour dissents or is deemed to dissent they can appoint a surveyor of their own, after which both Party Wall Surveyors agree and prepare the Party Wall Award and if required, a third surveyor to mediate so that disputes can be resolved. Alternatively, there can be a single Agreed Surveyor who will act for both Owners who will in turn prepare and serve a Party Wall Award.

Party Wall Surveyors appointed under the Act have a ‘quasi-judicial’ function meaning they should be impartial and not favour their Owners.

Please note: Under the Act, If you are an adjoining owner and your neighbour is carrying out works then they are generally required to pay your Party Wall fees.