The Party Wall Etc Act 1996 exists to protect both the building and adjoining owners, our aim is to ensure that the protection of the Act is applied wherever it is necessary. Our goal is to increase awareness of the Party Wall Act and to ensure that any works that are subject to the Act are notified correctly.
For this reason there is no charge for the first hour of our service, simply contact us with the details of the your proposals and we will be able to help.
Generally the Party Wall Etc Act 1996 should be considered if any of the following works are being undertaken and there are adjoining or neighbouring properties in close vicinity to the proposals:-
If you are proposing any of the works as detailed above please contact us free of charge to discuss the Party Wall Act and how it affects you.
We can advise you if a Party Wall Notice needs to be served and which notices are applicable. We can also serve them for you if you require us to do so. This will ensure that their are no complications in the future with notices that have been served incorrectly.
We regularly act for both the building and adjoining owners. Our appointments when acting for the building owner usually involves service of notices on behalf of the building owner who is proposing to undertake works which are notifiable under the Act. If a dispute arises this may lead to a formal appointment under Section 10 of the Act. In this instance we will encourage the building owner to have a schedule of condition of the adjoining owners property undertaken in order to ensure that the condition of the property is agreed prior to works commencing and thereby safeguarding their interests. We would then draft and serve a Party Wall Award. We may also be appointed as an Agreed Surveyor where by both parties mutually agreed our appointment to act impartially.
If we are not appointed as an Agreed Surveyor and a dispute has arisen the adjoining owner must appoint a surveyor under the Act known as the adjoining owners surveyor.
We are often also appointed by Adjoining Owners in this way. In the event of a Party Wall Dispute arising, we are appointed under Section 10 of the Act, in order to settle the dispute by implementing an Award. This usually includes the preparation of a detailed Schedule of Condition as mentioned above in order to safeguard the interests of both parties.
Our expertise in negotiating party wall matters ensures that building work proceeds legally and without unnecessary delays, inconvenience to either party or cost. We will ensure that the rights and duties of both parties are fully understood and observed. It is worthy of note that in most circumstances all reasonable fees will be payable by the Building Owner.