The Party Wall Act Protects neighbours when owners decide to do certain works
that may impact their property
​If your neighbour is doing any of the works above near your property, it may be covered by the Party Wall Act of 1996. The person doing the work must formally notify you before starting.
Once you receive the notice, you have a few options...
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Have your say and Appoint your own surveyor to represent your interests,
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Agree to share a surveyor with the person doing the work, and get a Party Wall Award
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Decide that you don’t need a surveyor at all, usually for small jobs like installing lead flashing.
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Do Nothing - your neighbour must appoint your own independent Surveyor for you
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What is a Party Wall Award?
A Party Wall Award is a legal document created when you or your neighbour plans building work that might affect a shared wall, boundary, or structure between your properties. It’s part of the Party Wall Act 1996, which requires proper notice and consultation before any such work begins. The award protects both parties by setting clear terms for the work, ensuring it’s carried out safely without causing damage to either property. For you as a homeowner, having a Party Wall Award in place not only prevents disputes but can also make your property more appealing to future buyers, as it shows that any past or potential building work has been handled legally and professionally. This can be especially reassuring when selling, as it demonstrates that all legal requirements have been met and reduces the risk of future claims or complications. It’s a way of protecting your home’s value and maintaining positive neighbourly relations, all while keeping everything above board and legally sound.
Who Pays?
The Party Wall Act is designed to ensure freedom of choice for Adjoining Owners; therefore, regardless of which option you choose, the party doing the work typically pays for the surveyors' fees and any associated costs, so it’s worth getting the right advice and ensuring everything is covered properly.
Adjoining Owners - Appoint us to Act for You
The Benefits..........
We will:
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Request copies of the notices and technical drawings from your neighbours to confirm the validity or inform them of the legal requirement to serve notice under the Party Wall Act.
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Notify your neighbour and their representative (if applicable) that we have been appointed and that we act in all matters. Documentation should be forwarded to us.​
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Schedule a visit to your residence at your convenience to conduct a thorough review of the proposed plans, including a Schedule of Condition Survey, examination of drawings, and assessment of any risk to structural integrity.
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When We Act as Agreed Surveyors
The Benefits........
The Party Wall Act etc. 1996 provides and facilitate the use of agreed Surveyors in Party Wall matters where possible. This is where both the Building Owner and Adjoining Owner use the same surveyor to handle party wall matters.
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We recognise that not all party wall matters are disagreements or disputes; neighbours can actually be friends. Our surveyors are highly skilled and trained in mitigating amenable agreements and will always seek to provide unbiased advice to ensure a fair outcome for both parties.
Our RICS qualified Surveyors specialise in protecting property owners' rights under the Party Wall Act 1996. We are knowledgeable, experienced, diligent, and pragmatic in dealing with Party Wall matters.
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My neighbour wants to build a wall on the boundary, can I refuse?Yes, however it may be that one day you wish to use the wall yourself. Call us before making any hasty decisions.
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My neighbour has just started building an extension within 3m of my property, and they have not told me anything, what can I do?Don't worry, it may be that your neighbour genuinely doesn't know they need to provide you with a Party Wall notice. Call us immediately, we're open till late, so we may be able to guide you both in the right direction.
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I understand the Party Wall Surveyor fees are usually paid for by the Building Owner (Person carrying out the works), but if I am the neighbour and we both agree to use one surveyor, how does that work for me as an Adjoining Owner, Does that not create a conflict of interest?As professional RICS surveyors, Rellim Surveyors have a legal statutory duty to carry out our role impartially, regardless of who pays our fees. if both owners appoint us as an Agreed surveyor, you can rest assured your rights will be clearly explained and our focus will be on administering the Party Wall Act to protect your property.
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I am having a new damp proof course, and the workmen said they will be chasing into the wall separating my neighbour and me; surely this is not notifiable works?Yes, most works you carry out on the Party Wall needs to be notified. Give us a quick call, it may be a simple case of providing the correct notice and if your Adjoining Owners assent, this would cost nothing at all and ensures you are compliant.
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I am replacing my timber garden fence; how much will it cost to get an award?Nothing, the Party Wall Act does not apply to timber fences.
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My neighbour wants to remove the garden fence and stand on my land wisely digs his foundation. Is this okay?Call us, as it may be circumstances where this is permissible but not always. Our advice is always free.
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Is there a Party Wall Surveyor near me?Headquartered in London, our team of fully trained and qualified Party Wall Surveyors operates from regional offices covering all London Borough postcodes and Home Counties. For inquiries, contact our main office at 0208 064 9980 or 07718991294, and we'll connect you with an office near you.
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How much does it cost to hire a Party Wall Surveyor?While hiring a Party Wall surveyor may appear as an extra expense for your residential construction, Rellim Surveyors are known for providing cost-effective solutions that add real value to your project. Choosing Rellim Surveyors means investing in expertise and professionalism that can make a significant difference in the success of your construction venture. Contact us today to discover how we can contribute to the success of your project. Reach our main office at 0208 064 9980 or 07718991924.