Party Wall Surveyors London
A party wall straddles land or property owned by two distinct people or companies and is essentially ‘shared’. Due to this, any work carried out to, on or adjacent to a party wall has the potential to infringe someone’s rights. Before work is undertaken on or close to a party wall, various steps need to be taken and our party wall surveyors London can help you to access the guidance and professional expertise you need.
What Is a Party Wall Survey?
A party wall surveyor can help you serve notice of upcoming works, draw up a party wall agreement and/or manage a party wall award. The exact scope of a party wall survey will vary depending on the specific project but, in general, a surveyor will assist with:
- Ascertaining legal ownership
- Serving relevant notices
- Preparing Schedules of Condition
- Liaising with building owners
- Calculating foreseeable damage
- Negotiating and drafting Party Wall Awards
Party Wall Surveyors in London
With specialist party wall surveyors in London, you can ensure that proposed works meet the requirements of the Party Wall Act 1996 and avoid potentially costly disputes with neighbouring buildings or landowners. Conversely, if you’re concerned that proposed works to an adjoining property will impact your land or building, our party wall services can help you protect your interests and assert your rights.
If both parties consent, we can act as the ‘Agreed Surveyor’, which means we’ll be representing the interests of both parties. Not only does this expedite the process, but it can also reduce the costs associated with party wall construction works.
Party Wall Notices
Under the Party Wall Act 1996, three types of notices can be served about works concerning party walls:
Party Structure Notice (PSN)
A PSN informs an adjourning owner that the building owner intends to carry out work that may affect the party wall or party fence wall. This may include cutting into a party wall, installing a damp course or raising the height of a party wall, for example.
This type of notice must be served at least two months before the work is due to commence and, under the Act, adjoining owners have 14 days to respond to the notice.
Adjacent Excavation (AEN)
If a building owner wants to excavate within 3 metres of a party wall and the excavations will be deeper than the adjoining owner’s existing foundations, an AEN must be served by s6(1) of the Party Wall Act 1996. This is common when building owners want to install a rear or side extension, for example.
Similarly, s6(2) requires that AEN must be served when proposed excavation works are within 6 metres of a party wall and will extend ‘beyond a plane drawn downwards in the direction of the excavation at an angle of 45 degrees, from the bottom of the AO’s existing foundations.’
Line of Junction (LoJ)
A LoJ notice is used when a building owner wants to build alongside the junction of a boundary line or on land that is next to the adjacent property. Installing a new party fence wall next to the property boundary is likely to require a LoJ notice, for example. This type of notice must be given at least one month ahead of work commencing.
Contact TCL Surveyors for Party Wall Expertise
Serving the right type of notice(s) and adhering to the relevant regulations is critical when it comes to any type of party wall modification, which is why it’s important to access professional guidance. With help from our experienced team, you can ensure that your rights are protected whether you’re the building owner or adjoining owner.
To learn more, contact us now on 020 3176 0029 or email our team at info@tcl-surveyors.co.uk