Party Wall Consultancy
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On 1 July 1997, The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 came into force throughout
the whole of England and Wales. There are many types of work which fall
within this Act including the following:
- Work on an existing wall or structure shared with another property.
- Construction of a freestanding wall or the wall of a building, such as a rear extension, up to or astride the boundary with a neighbouring property.
- Carrying out excavations near a neighbouring building.
- Assessing proposed building works to determine which works, if any, fall within the Act.
- Serving the appropriate Notices on adjoining owners.
- If an adjoining owner consents to the work, we would attend at the neighbouring property to take a Schedule of Condition of the party wall and any associated internal and external areas.
- If an adjoining owner dissents but agrees to appoint us as the Agreed Surveyor under the Act, we would take the Schedule of Condition and prepare a full Party Wall Award. It is perfectly acceptable for an adjoining owner to appoint us as an Agreed Surveyor, as our role is to interpret the Act as it applies to the scenario in question. Our role is not to 'act' for one party over another.
- If an adjoining owner dissents and appoints their own Party Wall Surveyor, we would prepare a full Party Wall Award, liasing with the adjoining owner's surveyor as required. The Award would include the Schedule of Condition and would be signed by both appointed surveyors.
- Where a full Party Wall Award has been prepared, one or more interim inspections of the work are likely to be required to ensure that the works relating to the party walls are being carried out in accordance with the Award.
- An inspection would be carried out on completion of the building work to check off the Schedule of Condition.
- Responding to Notices which have been served on an adjoining owner regarding impending building work.
- Liasing with the building owner's surveyor in order to agree a Party Wall Award.
- Attending on site during the preparation of the Schedule of Condition at the adjoining owner's premises.
- Attending interim inspections of the building work to ensure that party wall related matters are proceeding in accordance with the Award.
- Attending on site at the completion of work to check off the Schedule of Condition with the building owner's surveyor.
Anyone proposing to carry out such work described in the Act must give notice to adjoining owners.
GKR Associates are able to advise building and adjoining owners on their rights and responsibilities under this Act. Our services would typically include the following:
Building Owners
Adjoining Owners
Often, party wall matters are included as an integral part of our services in connection with various project works as set out under Building Projects.