London Party Wall Surveyors
Party Wall Surveyors in London
From determining whether your building work affects a party wall to drawing up a fair and effective agreement and handling any disputes, our surveyors in London can help you with all aspects of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Led by our RICS-registered chartered surveyor, Robert Turner, our team can provide advice and practical support to make sure your project runs as smoothly as possible. Covering North West and South West London, we have extensive experience in working with homeowners, businesses, and local authorities.
Find out more about party wall matters with us, and please don’t hesitate to get in touch to speak with an experienced and dedicated surveyor in London.
What is a party wall?
A party wall is essentially a wall or boundary shared by more than one property owner. It usually relates to:
- Walls that form part of a building on land shared by two or more property owners. This can include walls between flats, terraced houses, or semi-detached properties.
- Garden walls on a boundary between two properties.
However, party wall matters can apply to shared structures, too — for example, floors between flats. In some cases, these matters also affect excavation work taking place within 3-6 metres of any adjoining owners’ structure.
When a party wall is likely to be affected by your building work, you’ll need to adhere to the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. This Act requires you to:
- Inform your neighbour of the work you’re planning.
- Give them the chance to safeguard their interests.
- Draw up a party wall agreement to ensure everyone’s rights and interests are safeguarded.
What is the difference between a party wall and a boundary wall?
If you’re planning to carry out building work that’s likely to affect a wall between your property and another, you might be wondering if the wall in question counts as a ‘party wall’.
So, when does a boundary wall become a party wall? In a nutshell, a boundary wall sits entirely on the land of one property owner and is, therefore, that owner’s responsibility. In contrast, a party wall sits on a boundary line but is the shared responsibility of multiple land or property owners.
If you’re unsure whether your walls count as boundary or party walls, your first step should be to speak with a trained surveyor. They’ll be able to guide you on whether you need to arrange a party wall agreement.
It is important to understand that the party wall etc. act can apply even when there is no party wall.
Why you might need a party wall surveyor for your project in London
As well as advising you on whether your project will affect a party wall, a surveyor can offer a range of other services.
Our lead party wall surveyor, Robert Turner, has over 20 years of experience supporting property owners in London. He has been a member of the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors since 2008 and specialises in the field. He can help with:
- Serving notice to inform your neighbour of your construction plans.
- Writing party wall agreements that outline the rights and responsibilities of all property or land owners affected by the work.
- Resolving any disputes that might arise as the project progresses.
Can you get a party wall agreement without a surveyor?
It is possible to draw up party wall notices yourself. However, as matters can become complex with multiple parties involved, having a trained building surveyor on your side can provide peace of mind and ensure your project complies with government regulations. Party wall agreements must be drawn up by a person that isn’t party to the dispute.
What happens if you ignore the Party Wall etc. Act?
If you fail to inform a neighbour of work affecting a party wall and invoking the party wall etc. act, you’ll lose the protection that the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 offers. This means for example you won’t have the right to enter your neighbour’s property to work on the boundary wall.
You may also end up facing legal disputes if your work causes any damage to your neighbour’s property. In this situation, your neighbour may be able to take legal action that leads to you covering any repair works. Not adhering to the Act can also mean pausing your project until any disputes are resolved.
In short, it’s better to be safe than sorry, and we recommend speaking with a professional to ensure everything is above board. If you’re working on a project in the South East, Robert Turner Associates can help. Our party wall surveyors cover North West and South West London, so feel free to give us a call to discuss your work and requirements.
You can also explore our Portfolio for more details on how we’ve helped businesses and homeowners in the local area with their building projects.
What to do if you’re concerned about your neighbour’s building work
Has your neighbour started a construction project that affects your shared boundary?
The team at Robert Turner Associates is here to help ensure all parties are happy. We can work on your behalf to ensure there won’t be any negative impacts on your property. Please contact us to discuss your concerns, and we’ll be happy to advise you on the best course of action.
Speak with an experienced party wall surveyor in London
Whether you’re adding a home extension, repurposing a commercial space, or building a new property, any project that affects a party wall can benefit from support from a surveyor. Our dedicated team has the knowledge and experience to ensure your project runs as smoothly as possible.
Contact us today and get expert advice and support from a chartered party wall surveyor in London.
Looking for support elsewhere in the local area? We also offer party wall and architectural services across Essex and Suffolk.
