Plans 4 Building

Party Wall Act

Any person having work carried out to their house is required by Legislation to serve written notice on their neighbours if that work involves any of the following;

1. work involving the party wall between their houses [some examples are cutting pockets part way into a party wall to sit a beam into the wall, cutting chases for external flashings, removing chimney breasts, raising the height of a party wall]
2. work on the line of junction between their lands [an example would be an extension wall built out from a house along the boundary]
3. excavation within 3.0m of the neighbours house if that excavation extends down to a lower level than the level of the bottom of the foundations of the neighbours house [an example would be the excavation for the foundations to a house extension where current Building Regulations and good practice require deeper foundations than those to the original house]

Work cannot commence without the neighbour's written agreement which can be a simple exchange of letters or they may require a full formal Party Wall Award.

We can provide you with a full party wall service to ease this formal legal process which would include:

• Advising you on the best way of contacting adjoining owners without creating unnecessary concerns on their part
• Advising you on the form and nature of the Party Wall Notice
• Preparing and serving the statutory notices
• Preparing agreements with adjoining owners
• Acting as Party Wall Surveyor and preparing formal Party Wall Awards if required
• Preparing schedules of condition if required

Cost

Charges for Party Wall matters naturally vary with the amount of work involved and need to be agreed on a job by job basis. As a guide the cost for a typical package which would include the statutory notice to an adjoining neighbour, liaison with that neighbour [or their Party Wall Surveyor], preparation of a schedule of condition including a Party Wall Award if required and the provision of copies of the schedule, photos and Award to all parties would be £460 per neighbour.