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Party Walls:
A party wall divides the buildings of two owners and the
boundary between the ownerships is, generally, somewhere
in the thickness of the wall.
The Party Wall, etc, Act 1996 gives
the owner of a building certain rights to carry out works
to a party wall. However, the building owner must serve
a notice on his next-door neighbour informing him of his
intention. There is always the possibility that some damage
may be caused to the adjoining owners property, and the
adjoining owner therefore has the right to appoint his own
surveyor to look after his interests. The fees of his surveyor
are the liability of the building owner. Normally the two
surveyors will then get together, prepare a schedule of
condition of the property and reach an agreement as to the
works and the rectifications of any consequential damage.
This agreement is called a Party Wall Award.
What you have to do
If you are a building owner who wants to carry out works
to a party structure:
- decide what the works are;
- find a surveyor who knows about party walls;
- instruct him;
- wait until the surveyor has agreed the party wall
award before commencing any works within the time limits
laid down.
What you have to do
If you are an adjoining owner:
- your next-door neighbour - the building owner - tells
you he is planning on carrying out works to the party
wall;
- make sure he serves a party structure notice to you;
- find a surveyor who knows about party walls
- instruct him;
- Your surveyor will agree the party wall award for
you. It will,inter alia, make the necessary provisions
for rectification of any damage that may be caused to
your property.
- None of this will cost you anything, all reasonable
fees are paid by the building owner.
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