Party Walls
Party Wall Advice in Central London
Party Walls
Whether your property is commercial or residential, large or small, industrial or office, retail or institutional, if it is joined to another there is likely to be a Party Wall separating the two buildings. If you intend to repair, alter, raise, lower or place loads upon it - or wish to excavate below it to provide new foundations below or near it then whilst the Act gives you the right to do such works - there are procedures set out under the Act that should be followed.
Surveying Services
Notice must be served (either one or two months before you want to carry out the work- depending upon which section of the Act is being relied upon) - this gives your neighbour the opportunity to either agree or object. If your neighbour objects then both owners may appoint a single Surveyor to act as honest broker between the two parties and to prepare an award as the 'agreed surveyor' otherwise each party may appoint their own surveyor whose reasonable costs are borne by the owner wishing to carry out the works.
Our Party Wall Surveying
The two surveyors will appoint a third surveyor to arbitrate any disputes and will carry out 'impartial' - negotiations to agree the terms of an Award which will in due course be served upon each owner setting out the conditions under which the work may proceed. (The Surveyors' duty is to protect the party wall and not to 'fight battles' for their appointing owners!) Chartered Surveyors experienced in these matters can advise clients on the formalities and conduct the process on their behalf if mandated to do so in writing.
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Ideally a Party Wall surveyor should be instructed as soon as possible to ensure that the timetables required under the Act are adhered to. Otherwise you may run the risk of legal sanction. If you receive a Notice from your neighbour then again we suggest that you should contact a Party Wall surveyor immediately - you have 14 days to react to a Notice served upon you as the Adjoining Owner!
Please get in touch with our team by using the information provided on the side and we can help with your party wall issues.