On simple projects, opening dialogue with your neighbours by having the correct notices professionally prepared, served and explained can avoid the need for a Party Wall Award.
At £29*, saving substantial time and costs.
Otherwise, we can provide fixed fee Home owner comprehensive Party Wall Awards from £799*.
The first step is to notify neighbours of the works and their rights under the Party Wall Act. This is a legal obligation and fulfilled by serving notices that allow the neighbour the option of either agreeing for the works to proceed without a full Party Wall Award, or to have an Award drawn up.
In event it is agreed that no Party Wall Award is required, it can still be beneficial to produce a Schedule of Condition.
Having served the notices, where the neighbour, or both parties prefer to have a Party Wall Award drawn up, the Party Wall Act terms this a ‘dispute’.
In practice it doesn’t necessarily mean a disagreement, just that both parties want to protect their property and rights by recording the nature of the works to avoid future disagreement, litigation and costs. This is done by creating a Party Wall Award.
The Party Wall Act allows the neighbour to the works to have their own surveyor appointed and paid for by the building owner.
This is where costs can rise significantly. On simple projects, if we can get agreement of the neighbour, we will act for both parties as Agreed Surveyor, saving substantial costs.
Even where no formal Award is created, it is highly advisable to record the condition of the affected area of the neighbour’s property at the outset, thereby protecting both parties interests.
This can also be requested by the adjoining neighbour.
