SERVICES
Party Wall Advice
Advising property owners on their rights and obligations under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Party Wall Assessment
Inspecting and assessing the condition of party walls and adjacent properties to identify any potential risks or issues.
Preparing and serving party wall documents
Preparing and serving party wall notices and awards to ensure compliance with legal requirements and protect the interests of all parties involved.
Dispute Resolution
Resolving disputes between property owners in a fair and impartial manner, using expertise and knowledge of the law to reach a mutually agreeable solution.
Reviewing architects’ and engineers’ plans
Reviewing proposed construction plans and specifications to ensure compliance with the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Schedule of Conditions
Conducting structural inspections of party walls and adjacent structures to create a written document describing the conditions of an adjoining property prior to the start of the proposed works. These are supported with photographic evidence.
Acting as the Building Owner’s Surveyor
The role of the Building Owner's Surveyor is to ensure that the party wall process is managed fairly and effectively, and that the Building Owner is able to proceed with the construction work that fall under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 without undue delay or expense while respecting the rights and interests of the Adjoining Owners.
There is no substitute for discussing building proposals with your neighbour in advance, but appointing a surveyor is the next best step.
Acting as the Adjoining Owner’s Surveyor
In the world of party walls, acting as the Adjoining Owner's surveyor means representing the interests of the neighbour(s) whose property is adjacent to the property where the building owner intends to carry out construction work that falls within the scope of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
The Adjoining Owner's Surveyor has a duty to ensure that their client's interests are protected throughout the party wall process. They will typically review the proposed works and ensure that they comply with the requirements of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. They will also work with the Building Owner's Surveyor to agree on a Party Wall Award, which is a legal document that sets out the rights and obligations of both parties during the construction work.
If a dispute arises during the party wall process, the Adjoining Owner's Surveyor will work to resolve the matter, either through negotiation or mediation. If a resolution cannot be reached, they may need to refer the matter to a third surveyor who will act as an impartial arbitrator and make a binding decision on the dispute.
Acting as the Agreed Owner’s Surveyor
The Agreed Surveyor means being appointed by both the Building Owner and the Adjoining Owner to act as a single surveyor to oversee and manage the party wall process.
When a Building Owner proposes to carry out work that affects a party wall or boundary shared with their neighbour, they are required by law to serve notice on their neighbour, who is referred to as the Adjoining Owner. The Adjoining Owner has the right to appoint their own surveyor to represent their interests during the party wall process. Alternatively, both parties can agree to appoint a single surveyor, who will act as the Agreed Surveyor for the project.