Party Walls

If you are proposing to do work directly to a party wall; for example using the wall to support a steel beam, this will be imposing additional loads to the wall and will require party wall notice to be served by the property owner. You will also need to serve notice if you are excavating within three or six meters of a neighbouring wall or if you are building to the boundary wall.

It is the property owners responsibility to ensure that Party wall notice has been served to the affected neighbours.

The Party Wall Act etc. Act 1996 gives people wanting to do work to their properties specific rights and it also allows the neighbours a say over how the rights are exercised and protects against damage or adverse effects from the proposed works. The party that is proposing to carry out the work must first serve a notice on affected neighbours. If a neighbour consents the works can progress, otherwise that will be in 'dispute' and a Party Wall Award must be made. In both cases the neighbours receive the protection from the Act. We would recommend appointing a party wall surveyor in the event that a Party Wall Award is required.

There is a great deal of free information online and even free notice template letters. Follow the button link here to be redirected to a helpful external website. (Studio Architecture Ltd is not affiliated with this site)