Expert Party Wall Guidance
Whether you’re planning an extension, loft conversion, basement or structural works near a neighbouring property, we can help from the first Notice through to completion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers from experienced London Party Wall Surveyors.
If you're planning works that fall under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 — such as loft conversions, rear extensions, basements or works to shared walls — you're legally required to serve notice on your neighbours, and a surveyor is typically involved when they dissent or fail to respond.
The process varies depending on the complexity of the works and whether your neighbours consent or dissent.It can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months.
In most cases, the building owner carrying out the works is responsible for paying all surveyor fees, including the adjoining owner's surveyor.
If they don't respond within 14 days, a dispute is deemed to have arisen. You must then appoint a surveyor to act on their behalf if they refuse to do so after a further 10-day notice.
Yes, we provide fixed fee quotes based on the scope of your project, so you know exactly what to expect without any hidden costs.
Yes, our team covers all 32 London boroughs, providing prompt and professional services across the entire Greater London area.
A Party Wall (which can also be referred to as a party structure) is a structure that straddles the boundary between two properties. This can be both vertical as in a typical semi-detached property or horizontal as in the floor of a first floor flat. It can also be a wall which stands solely on the land of one person but is used to separate the adjoining property.
Since the Party Wall etc Act 1996 came into force, building owners in England and Wales have a legal procedure to follow when building work involves a party wall, party fence wall, excavations or building on the line of junction.
Some people think that if they don’t respond to the Notice then it will simply go away. This is not the case. If no response is received by the Building Owner within 14 days a further follow-up “Ten Day Notice” will be served stating that the parties are now deemed to be in dispute and a Surveyor must be appointed. If no written response is received a Surveyor will be appointed for the Adjoining Owner by the Building Owner’s Surveyor under Section 10(4) of the Act. So you will loose out on the opportunity to choose your own surveyor and the process will carry on regardless.
The Act does not cover every day minor jobs such as fixing plugs, screwing in wall units or shelving, adding or replacing recessed electrical wiring or sockets or replacing internal wall plaster. It also doesn't cover timber fencing between properties.
The immediate implications are that the adjoining owner could apply for an interim injunction at court to stop you proceeding with notifiable works. You would have to comply with the injunction and stop work. Failing to comply with an injunction could result in a fine or even committal to prison.
Yes. A surveyor’s appointment is a statutory appointment under the Act. Surveyors are appointed to administer the provisions of the Act, and the owners are ‘appointing owners’ under the Act and not the surveyor’s clients. Surveyors must administer the Act in an impartial way.
The Act carries no fines or penalties but it is possible that the adjoining owner may apply to the court to have an injunction served in order that you will stop work.
Under section 1 of the Act, where you wish to build a new wall on the line of junction, you will have the right only to build on your own land.
In respect of a notice served under sections 2 and 6 of the Act, if there is no reply to the notice after 14 days then a dispute is deemed to have arisen and you and your neighbour must appoint a surveyor. If your neighbour still fails to respond, then after giving a further ten days to reply, you may appoint a surveyor on his behalf.
The surveyors prepare the award, which is a legal document between the two owners. The surveyors normally meet at the property and prepare a schedule of condition (although not a requirement of the Act). The schedule of condition assists all parties as any damage that may be caused can be checked against it and compensation awarded if required.
Under normal circumstances the building owner would pay the fees, (known as costs) as he is the one undertaking the works, usually for his benefit. However, the surveyors will make the final determination.
Both the building owner and the adjoining owner can appeal the award in the County Court within 14 days of being served the award. You should probably, of course, speak with your appointed surveyor on the matter before doing so, as he is likely to be able to answer your query.
A Schedule of Condition (which is not mentioned in the Party Wall etc. Act) is a report recording the current condition of a property. The Schedule of Condition will often include a photographs record. We will encourage the building owners to have a Schedule of Condition of the adjoining owner's property undertaken prior to the commencement of works in order to ensure that the condition of the property is agreed. This will thereby safeguard the interests of both parties.
The Party Wall Act permits access to an Adjoining Owners property during working hours. The access is granted only for the purpose of the notifiable work.