HW Party Wall Surveyors
Expert Party Wall Surveyors
Does the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 affect me?
At HW Party Wall Surveyors, we specialise in providing professional advice and services for all aspects related to party walls.
Are you planning building works?
Even small building projects may need a Party Wall Notice to be served.
Have you been served a Notice?
If your neighbour is carrying out building works they may have served you a Notice.
Contact us for FREE advice on how to respond
Expert Advice
We offer professional advice throughout the project, ensuring all parties adhere to legal requirements of the Party Wall etc Act 1996
Your Trusted Party Wall Experts
Dedicated to Professionalism and Integrity
HW Party Wall Surveyors are members of the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors and undertake both commercial and residential party wall work across London and the South East.
With a friendly and approachable attitude, providing simple and honest advice to help you navigate the process of the Party Wall Act.
I am planning a building project
As the person(s) carrying out a building project you are classed as the "BUILDING OWNER" under the Act.
Are you carrying out:
● Work to an existing party wall or structure that is shared with another property?
● Building on or next to the boundary of another property
● Excavating (digging) near a neighbouring building or structure?
Then you will need to serve a Party Wall Notice
What do I need to do?
If your works are deemed as Notifiable Works under the Act, a Party Wall Notice must be served.
HW Party Wall Surveyors can assist and serve these Notices on your behalf.
What if my neighbour opposes the Notice?
It is not unusual for your neighbour to oppose the Notice (so don't get offended), as they are aiming to protect their property. This is called a 'Dissent' under the Act.
If your neighbour dissents then an agreement on how these works can be carried out to protect each owner will be undertaken. This is called an Award.
You will usually pay for all reasonable fees for this agreement.
The Party Wall Process explained
Step 1:
Serving a Party Notice
Once it is established that the works that you are undertaking will affect a Party Structure then a Party Wall Notice will need to be served.
Your neighbour (Adjoining Owner) has 14 days to provide their response.
Step 2:
Party Wall Award
If the adjoining owner opposes the Notice, or does not provide a response, then a "Dispute" has occurred.
An Award is then drawn up detailing how the works can be carried out in an agreeable way to both owners.
An objection does not necessarily mean that an owner does not want the works to proceed, but the Award provides suitable protection to their property.
Step 3:
Carry out the Works
Once the Award is published you have 12 months to start the building works.
Ensure your builders have a copy of the Award outlining any conditions / protection that must put in place.
Upon Completion, you are responsible to make good any damage that has occurred to your neighbours as a result of the works.
My neighbour is doing a building project
The neighbour of someone carrying out a building project is classed as the "ADJOINING OWNER" under the Act.
I have been served a Notice:
Your neighbours will serve a Party Wall Notice on you if their works involve:
● Work to a shared Party wall or structure.
● Building on or next to the boundary.
● Excavating (digging) near your building or structure
What do I need to do?
You should reply within 14 days of receiving the Notice advising if you:
- "consent" (agree)
- "dissent" (disagree)
It is often recommended to dissent, to ensure that an Award is in place before the building works commence, detailing how the works are to be carried out.
What if I oppose the Notice?
If you oppose then an agreement will be created to detail how their works can be carried out to protect each owner. This is called an Award.
In most cases you will not pay anything for this.
HW Party Wall Surveyors is a trading name under HW Architects Ltd [reg.8658023]
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