Our team at Boyce Thornton Building & Party Wall Surveyors is able to provide a specialist, professional service to all parties involved in party wall issues.  We are members of the professional organisation, The Pyramus & Thisbe Society which is committed to promoting excellence in party wall practice – link to P&TS please.

If you are affected by The Party Wall etc Act 1996, either as a Building Owner or an Adjoining Owner we can assist you with the process.  As party walls surveyors we are able to act as Building Owner’s Surveyor, Adjoining Owner’s Surveyor or Agreed Surveyor.  These roles can include:-

Reviewing proposals

Reviewing proposals, advising on the application of the Act and highlighting any potential issues with the scheme

Appraising

Appraising and responding to Notices and drawings served by the Building Owner

Party Wall Award

Preparing, negotiating, agreeing and serving a Party Wall Award

Final Inspection

Undertaking a final inspection on completion of the notifiable works and reporting any damage noted and making good or payment in lieu required.

Statutory Notices

Advising on, preparing and serving statutory Notices;

Assessing Risks

Assessing risks to the Adjoining Owner’s property and agreeing strategies to limit any risks;

Interim Inspections

Carrying out interim inspections, if necessary to deal with any issues arising from the notifiable works, non-compliance with the Award and advising on any actions required

Party-Wall-001

An explanatory booklet is available from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Government giving a detailed guide to The Party Wall etc Act 1996 –  The Party Wall etc Act 1996: explanatory booklet – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Third Surveyor

In addition to the above roles we can act as Third Surveyor, to resolve any dispute which may arise between the appointed surveyors.  This process may involve:-

  • Reviewing the specific matters in dispute;
  • Visiting the properties if necessary;
  • Preparing and serving an Award relating to the specific matters in dispute;
  • Considering all relevant drawings, photographs, reports and other material;
  • Meeting with the appointed surveyors if necessary;

Schedules of Condition

In situations where building works are not notifiable under the Party Wall etc Act and there are concerns that damage may be caused to a neighbouring property as a result of the works, preparation of a Schedule of Condition is recommended prior to commencement of the works. The Schedule records the condition of the property at a particularly point in time; it details existing defects in both written and photographic formats. It enables the parties to easily determine whether the neighbouring property has suffered damage as a result of the works.

It is also advisable to record a Schedule of Condition prior to the commencement of a new lease or when undertaking building works under a Licence to Alter.

Access, Scaffold and Crane Oversail Licences

Where building works fall outside the scope of the Party Wall etc Act and rights of access onto or over a neighbouring property are needed, express consent is required from the land owner.  Our team are able to draft comprehensive licences for these purposes, including conditions relating to health and safety, security, damage, hours of work, payments, etc.  A Schedule of Condition should ideally be recorded and referred to in the licence.

Please contact Michelle Minhinnick for further information – michelle@btbpws.co.uk

    This will close in 20 seconds