Holborn Party Wall Surveyors
Easton Bevins provides a dedicated team of party wall surveyors serving Holborn and central London, with extensive experience in managing projects in accordance with the Party Wall Act.
If you're planning work on a party wall, structure, or boundary within Holborn or nearby areas, or if you've received a party wall notice from a neighbour and need expert guidance, we’re here to help.
Our skilled surveyors will guide you through the entire process, ensuring all work complies with the Act. We are also adept at resolving any potential disputes quickly, ensuring minimal 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 established to prevent or resolve disputes concerning work on party walls, 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, you are required to notify your adjoining neighbour before carrying out any work on a party wall. If you fail to serve notice, you will not have the legal right to proceed with the work. Additionally, if you need access to your neighbour’s land or property—for instance, to erect scaffolding—you must obtain permission under the Act.
Although sometimes perceived as bureaucratic, serving notice is a legal requirement. It also offers advantages not available under common law, such as the right to access for completing the work.
In some cases, you may even require your neighbour to contribute to the cost of the work, particularly if it involves repairing a shared wall.
The Act is designed to protect both parties: it enables the person carrying out the work to proceed while safeguarding the neighbour from unnecessary disruption and potential damage. The process is straightforward; with consent, the work can continue smoothly, and any disputes can be quickly resolved with the 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 are a common occurrence in London due to the high property prices and land values.
If you think that someone has encroached 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:
Read More
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 working for each party
Stage 3
If the neighbour does not consent, this is 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. The schedule 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.
