Is Your Neighbour Carrying Out Building Work?
Michael White C.Build.E FCABE FFPWS, one of our senior surveyors, offers some information and advice to “Adjoining Owners”, if neighbour carrying out building work
Advice To Adjoining Owners
We understand it can be a stressful time when there are extensive building works going on next door. We also realise The Party Wall Act can be a daunting prospect to those that have not experienced the process before. Michael White C.Build.E FCABE FFPWS, one of our senior surveyors, offers some information and advice to “Adjoining Owners”….
Is Your Neighbour Carrying Out Building Work?
An adjoining owner is defined in The Party Wall etc Act 1996 as: “any owner… of buildings, storeys, or room adjoining those of the building owner”.
It may be that you are regarded as an adjoining owner if your property is within 3m (and sometimes 6m) of the building owners’ property.
The building owner is the owner of the property where works are to be carried out.
When building owners plan to carry out works that might affect the structure of neighbouring properties, The Party Wall Act is there to protect all parties and, primarily, the wall itself.
The Act requires formal Notice to be served on all adjoining owners before work commences. If you have received a Party Wall Notice or, worse, if works have started without a Notice, you may find the following advice helpful:
1. If works have started and you haven't received a Notice
2. When you receive a Notice
3. If you 'consent'
4. Dissent to ensure you have the protection of the Party Wall Act
5. If you choose to dissent
6. Your surveyor will then check the building plans
7. surveyors are required to be impartial
8. Your property will be inspected
9. The surveyor(s) will then agree the terms
10. These terms form the Party Wall Award
11. Your surveyor may also retain involvement
12. Inspection on completion
Are you an Adjoining Owner?
If your neighbours are planning on doing some work here are some of the things you need to know.
We are party wall specialists
We are party wall specialists with over 15 years experience in the industry. We are based in Thames Ditton, Surrey and operate throughout Surrey and South West London.
We hope this has been useful. If you have any questions please contact us at: partywall@whiteandlloyd.co.uk
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Head Office
Devon House
11 High Street
Thames Ditton, Surrey
KT7 0SD
0208 191 7747
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Chester house
81-83 Fulham High Street
Fulham Green, Fulham
SW6 3JA
0203 637 2213