The Party Wall etc Act 1996

Site Sage are specialist Party Wall Surveyors based in Sydenham, South East London, and accept work in all London areas and surrounding counties.

If you are a building owner planning work which may fall under the Party Wall Etc Act 1996 and need a Party Wall Surveyor, or are an adjoining building owner in need of a Party Wall Surveyor and have been affected by Party Wall issues we are able to help.

The Building Owner can undertake a variety of operations to party walls or floors (party structures) which separate their property from their neighbours (Adjoining Owners) and to adjacent foundations, though there are safeguards to protect the interests of the parties. The procedure involves the issuing of notices and often the appointment of a surveyor or surveyors, who will produce an agreement (known as an award) which is binding on each party. In addition, a schedule of condition is usually prepared. There are variations on the theme; for instance, an Adjoining Owner might be content to allow the work but nonetheless require a schedule of condition to be prepared.

For the Building Owner

Are you intending to undertake relevant work, such as:-

• Build a new wall near or on a boundary line.
• Repair an existing party structure.
• Alter a party structure, such as demolish and rebuild, raise or lower, build in beam-ends, cut into or away from etc.
• Underpin.
• Temporarily expose a party structure to the weather.
• Excavate in close proximity to a neighbours property - up to 6 metres distant.

For the Adjoining Owner

Have you:-

• Heard from a neighbour that he/she intends to undertake relevant work and seeks your permission
• Received a written notice from your neighbour or his/her surveyor
• Found out that your neighbour is undertaking relevant work without informing you.

If so you will need to quickly decide how to deal with it.

Site Sage will:-

• Advise you on your options.
• Respond to the neighbour on your behalf.
• Act as either a jointly appointed surveyor or the Adjoining Owners surveyor.
• Prepare or check a schedule of condition.
• Examine the neighbours proposals in detail and consider the implications.
• Engage with the neighbours surveyor to agree matters.
• Deal with compensation and other monetary issues as may arise.
• Check the award during its progress from the drafting stage to ultimate signing.
• Inspect the work as it proceeds.
• Assess damage that may arise to your property.

Generally

Whilst the forgoing are broad descriptions of functions Site Sage might perform, if circumstances dictate, the service can be restricted to particular individual tasks.

Why choose Site Sage?

Party Walls is a specialist subject. Site Sage have an extensive knowledge of construction, (both the technology and practise) as well as long experience and a thorough understanding of the Act.

What does it cost?

Site Sage pay attention to detail and take their duties seriously. Whilst we are thorough, we are ever mindful of the need to deal with matters as efficiently as possible. Fees are competitive. If you are an Adjoining Owner, in almost all cases, your surveyors fees will be met by your neighbour. Click here for our fees.