Party Wall Surveyors - Liverpool

Anyone wanting to carry out work on a party wall, party structure or boundary wall must give the adjoining owner notice. If they do not serve notice they will have no legal rights to do the work. 

Also, if the person planning notifiable works requires use of the neighbour’s land or any part of their property  they will need to acquire rights under the act.

If you are planning to undertake work on a party wall, party structure, or boundary wall, or if you have received a notice of party wall works from a neighbour and are unsure of your next steps, we can help.

For expert advice and support on party wall issues for property in Liverpool:

Call 0161 669 2267, email or complete
our enquiry form.

Although sometimes viewed as unnecessary red tape, serving notice is required by law. It can also provide advantages which you do not get with the common law position, such as access for implementing the work.

In some instances, you may be able to oblige the neighbour to contribute towards the cost of the works, for example if it is a shared wall that is in poor condition.

Fundamentally it is designed to be useful for both parties, allowing the person doing the work to get the work done, and protecting the neighbour from unnecessary inconvenience and damage. It does not have to be complicated; if you get consent, you can get on with the work; if there is a dispute it can be resolved quickly and easily by putting the right paperwork in place.

Boundary disputes are becoming a more common occurrence partly due to rising 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:
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Also, anyone applying for planning permission will be reminded to check whether the act applies to their project.

Unfortunately, smaller building projects carried out under permitted development often don’t require planning permission so there is no reminder. In addition, there can be a perception that the Party Wall Act is an obstruction and some contractors carrying out smaller works either do not understand the act, or simply do not see it as relevant or necessary, putting projects and people at risk.

What to do if a neighbour starts work without serving notice

Often a good first option is to politely point out the oversight and ask them to stop work and serve notice, this usually achieves the desired result.

What to do if a neighbour carries on with the work without an agreement

If this does not work, you can apply for an injunction to stop the work. An injunction could delay a project by anything from one month to six months, or more. If a builder has already started work, they will probably continue to charge after it has been stopped. Also, if any damage has been caused, significant fines may be incurred.

Get professional advice before things escalate.

Getting a professional involved can help take the emotion out of a situation. Remember, the Party Wall Act is to everyone’s advantage and in our experience, in the majority of cases a resolution is without the need for costly legal battles.

With a team of experienced party wall surveyors, and offices located near-by in Altrincham Business Park, we offer advice and support to property owners and property developers in and around Liverpool.

We are a member of RICS and our vast experience in all areas of the property and construction industry ensures that our service is second to none. Please contact our Manchester office for prompt, professional, expert party wall advice.