Hackney Party Wall Surveyors
Easton Bevins offers a dedicated team of party wall surveyors serving Hackney, with extensive expertise in managing projects that fall under the Party Wall Act.
If you are planning to undertake work on a party wall, structure, or boundary at a property in Hackney, or have received a party wall notice from a neighbour and require professional advice, we can help.
Our skilled surveyors can guide you through the process, ensuring that all work adheres to the Party Wall Act. We are also skilled at efficiently resolving any potential disputes, thereby minimising disruption to your project.
For expert advice and support relating to the Party Wall Act:
Call 0204 548 9835, email or complete
our enquiry form.
Party Wall Act
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 was introduced to help prevent or resolve disputes related to work on party walls and boundary walls, and excavations near neighbouring properties.
You can download the Government's explanatory booklet for further information.
Download booklet
Under the Party Wall Act, it is necessary to notify your adjoining neighbour before commencing any work on a party wall. If you fail to serve this notice, you will not have the legal right to proceed with your intended work. Furthermore, should you need access to your neighbour’s land or property - such as for scaffolding - you must seek permission under the Act.
While serving notice may seem like a potential hindrance, it is a legal requirement. It also offers benefits not available under common law, including the right of access for the purpose of the work. In certain situations, you may even be entitled to require your neighbour to contribute to the costs, particularly if the work involves a shared wall that requires repair.
The Act is designed to protect both parties: it allows the individual carrying out the work to proceed while safeguarding the neighbour from undue disruption and potential damage. The process is relatively straightforward; with the necessary consent, work can progress smoothly, and any disputes can be resolved quickly through appropriate documentation.
If you have any questions about party walls, view our frequently asked questions or get in touch with one of our expert surveyors today.
Party wall disputes v. boundary disputes
Party wall disputes are sometimes confused with boundary disputes but the two are very different.
Find out more about party wall disputes:
Read more
Boundary disputes have recently become a more common occurrence in Hackney, probably due to the increase in property prices and land values.
If you think that someone has trespassed on your land, that would be classified as a boundary dispute and cannot be dealt with under the Party Wall Act. Easton Bevins has boundary experts specialising in this complex area. We can also provide expert witness services if required.
Find out more about boundary disputes call our London office on:0204 548 9835
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the Party Wall process
Stage 1
If you are planning work on an existing party wall you need to give two months’ notice. If you are planning on excavating, or building a new wall at the line of junction, you need to give one month’s notice.
If you do not give notice your neighbour has the right to serve an injunction which will stop all work while a resolution is reached.
Stage 2
Once notice has been given, your neighbour will have three options;
i) consent to the works
ii) dissent to the works and you both agree to appoint one party wall surveyor to act for both parties to resolve the matter
iii) dissent to the works and appoint their own surveyor, so a separate surveyor will be working for each party.
Stage 3
If the neighbour does not consent, it is considered a party wall dispute which must be resolved by way of a party wall award.
What is a party wall award?
The award is a legal document that governs certain aspects of the works such as timings, working hours, and potentially detail of the works.
Pre-works condition schedule
A pre-works condition schedule is required as part of an award, and is considered good practice even in the event of consent. It provides a record that can be referred back to in case of any damage during the works and serves to protect both parties - the person doing the work and the neighbour.
A party wall award is legally binding, however both sides will have 14 days to appeal the award in the County Court.
