Common build errors such as overhanging gutters, excavations undermining your foundations, trespass and damage to shared walls can be avoided by having a surveyor represent you in drawing up a Party Wall Award.
Neighbours extension party wall notices can often include notice to access to your property in order to undertake the notifiable building works. While the Party Wall Act allows this, a party wall agreement for extension will put in place criteria to both mitigate disruption and prevent property damage.
The Party Wall Act allows certain works that otherwise wouldn’t be allowed under common law. With that right comes a responsibility to ensure the party wall works do not prejudice or damage neighbouring property. Having a party wall award in place both provides an additional level of oversight and also a low cost, easy access means to have things put right if an issue does emerge.
The Party Wall Act enables construction that can impact neighbouring property and also change the legal relationship between properties and structures. Creating a 'party' relationship has legal implications and potential future costs implications. Its important these are understood before agreeing to notifiable party wall works and a neighbour building extension party wall agreement is drawn up with an understanding of these legal implications.
A Party Wall Award, also known as a Party Wall Agreement, is a legally binding document that sets out the rights and obligations of neighboring property owners who are carrying out building work that affects a shared wall or boundary. The Party Wall Award is typically used in situations where the building work being undertaken by one property owner could potentially impact the structural integrity or stability of a shared wall or boundary with the adjoining property.
TERRACE ROOFS_edited_edited.jpg Does My Neighbour Need A Party Wall Agreement It depends on the nature of the work your neighbor is planning to carry out. If the work
If your neighbour has started work without serving you with a party wall notice and entering into a party wall agreement, they may be in breach of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. The first step is to talk to your neighbour and ask them about the work they are carrying out. They may be unaware of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 and the need for a party wall agreement. If this is the case, you can inform them of their legal obligations and suggest that they serve you with a party wall notice. If your neighbour continues to ignore their legal obligations and carry out the work without a party wall agreement, you may need to seek advice from a party wall surveyors or solicitor . It's important to have the works legalised to protect your property.
Find out more about the Party Wall Act and process here.
