The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 provides owners of buildings with certain rights to carry out work to party walls and other structures, and a framework for exercising these rights based on notification and the resolution of disputes via the appointment of surveyors.
We advise developers and home owners undertaking works on the most efficient utilisation of this legislation, allowing them to maximise their statutory powers and, where necessary, negotiate access to neighbouring land and buildings to facilitate construction and development works.
In equal measure our understanding of case law and first class knowledge of construction enables us to ensure neighbours affected by works have the most comprehensive safeguards whilst otherwise complicated details are distilled and explained at a practical level.
Party Wall Surveys & Access Licences
As specialist party wall surveyors and RICS registered chartered surveyors our negotiating skills and proactive approach facilitates the effective management and prompt resolution of party wall matters.
Our party wall and access licence services include:
Developers / Owners: proposing building works or development:
- Strategic advice on rights and obligations under the Act
- Review of design to de-risk / remove activities from critical path
- Use of software for progress reporting and visual understanding of otherwise large complicated sites
- Acting as Party Wall Surveyor
- Recording schedules of condition
- Negotiating construction access for cranes, scaffolding or hoardings
- Tunnel surveys
- Neighbourly liaison
- Boundary surveys
- Dealing with issues of damage and compensation
- Coming soon! – commercial drone video and photographic recording of otherwise potentially hidden boundary details.
Adjoining Owners: adjacent to and affected by building works or development:
- Advising on the validity of Notices served, and your rights and obligations, under the Act
- Reviewing details of proposed works to ensure they are suitable and will not cause unnecessary inconvenience
- Advising where certain aspects may be beneficial to the Adjoining Owner
- Checking and agreeing schedules of condition
- Negotiating party wall awards
- Dealing with issues of damage and compensation
Useful Resources
If you’re a developer undertaking works or a neighbour affected by works then you may find these useful resources handy to help you better understand the Party Wall Act.
Download our free guide and flow chart on the Party Wall Act
Check our FAQs section
