Party Wall Surveyors - Northampton

Whether you are planning works involving a party wall, party structure, or boundary wall, or if you have received a party wall notice from a neighbour and need expert advice, our experienced surveyors can help.

Easton Bevins has a dedicated team of party wall surveyors available to support clients. With offices in Birmingham, we can offer clients in Northampton prompt, professional advice and expert assistance to ensure full compliance with the rules of the Act.

Our team is skilled in guiding clients through the complexities of the Party Wall process, ensuring the rules of the Act are met. We also specialise in resolving disputes, helping minimise delays to projects.

For professional advice on the Party Wall Act:

Call our Birmingham office on 0121 817 7670, email or complete our enquiry form.

Party Wall Act

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 was implemented to prevent or resolve disputes related to work on party walls, boundary walls and excavations near neighbouring properties.


You can download the Government's explanatory booklet for further information. 
Download booklet

The Act requires property owners to notify their adjoining neighbours before beginning any work that might affect a shared or adjoining structure. 

Serving notice can 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. 

The Act is designed to ensure that projects proceed smoothly while safeguarding adjoining properties from unnecessary disruption or damage. When disputes arise, they can often be resolved quickly and easily by having the right paperwork in place.

If you have any questions about party walls, view our ffrequently 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:
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Boundary disputes arise when there is disagreement over property ownership or land boundaries. For example, if a fence or building encroaches onto your land, this would be classified as a boundary dispute, not a party wall issue.

At Easton Bevins, we have experts specialising in boundary disputes who can provide professional advice and, if necessary, act as expert witnesses. 


Find out more about boundary disputes:
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the 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.

Birmingham house development

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 surveyor to act for both parties to resolve the matter

iii) dissent to the works and appoint their own party wall surveyor, so a separate surveyor working for each party

Birmingham party wall surveyors

Stage 3

If the neighbour does not consent, The Party Wall Act considers this to be a party wall dispute which must be resolved by way of a party wall award.

The party wall 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 a party wall 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.

Birmingham party wall work

Support for Property Developers

The Party Wall Act is applies to developers carrying out construction projects close to neighbouring properties. Whether you are extending a property, converting a structure, or building a new development near existing properties, compliance with the Act is essential.

Our surveyors regularly assist developers, providing expert advice and managing all aspects of Party Wall compliance on their behalf.

From reviewing architectural plans and serving notices to resolving disputes, we work to ensure projects remain on schedule and adhere to lthe rules of the Act. Many developers rely on Easton Bevins to handle the party wall process for the, so that they can focus on other important aspects of their project. 

House with party wall

compliance with party Wall rules

Awareness of the Party Wall Act has increased significantly, and more experienced contractors now recognise the importance of adhering to its rules.

Birmingham party wall surveyor

Those applying for planning permission will often be reminded to check if the Act applies to their project. However, smaller projects undertaken under permitted development may not require planning permission, meaning this reminder can be overlooked.

There is also a common misconception that the Party Wall Act is an obstacle, leading some contractors working on smaller projects to overlook or misunderstand its relevance, putting both projects and individuals at risk.

What to do if a neighbour starts work without serving notice

If a neighbour starts work without serving the required notice, a good first step is to inform them politely and request that they pause the work until notice is served. This approach usually resolves the issue.

What to do if a neighbour continues without agreement

If the neighbour continues without complying, you can apply for an injunction to stop the work. This could delay the project by anywhere from one to six months or more. If work has already started, builders may continue to charge during the delay, and any damage caused may result in substantial fines.

Professional advice can prevent the situation from escalating. Engaging a neutral expert can help manage the situation calmly and objectively. Remember, the Act benefits all parties, and most disputes are resolved without resorting to expensive legal action.

If you have any questions about party walls, view our frequently asked questions or contact one of our expert surveyors today.

get expert Party Wall Advice

If you are planning work that falls under the party wall act, or have received notice from a neighbour and are unsure of what to do next, our surveyors can help. 

 

Whatever the situation our experienced surveyors provide professional advice to ensure work complies with the rules of the Act. If a dispute arises, it can usually be resolved quickly and easily by putting the right paperwork in place.

Our Party Wall Act services start from as little as £150, providing a cost-effective solution. We also offer expert witness services for more complex cases.

Our experts

Michael Bull
Managing Director

With many years’ experience Mike has particular expertise in working on projects that fall under the Party Wall Act. Mike also offers expert witness services and has worked on numerous high-profile cases.

m.bull@eastonbevins.co.uk

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Ben O'Brien
Director - Building Surveying

Ben is an experienced party wall surveyor and has worked on numerous projects helping both developers and home owners manage compliance.

b.obrien@eastonbevins.co.uk

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Richard Sherwood
Director - Building Surveying

As an expert party wall surveyor Richard works with both home owners and commercial clients to help ensure compliance with the act. Richard is also retained as a party wall surveyor for a number of national developers.

r.sherwood@eastonbevins.co.uk

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Michael Bull
ICIOB MEWI

With many years’ experience Mike has particular expertise in working on projects that fall under the Party Wall Act. Mike also offers expert witness services and has worked on numerous high-profile cases.

Read more

Ben O'Brien
BSc (Hons) MRICS

Ben is an experienced party wall surveyor and has worked on numerous projects helping both developers and home owners manage compliance.

Read more

Richard Sherwood
MEng (Hons) GDipSurv MRICS

As an expert party wall surveyor Richard works with both home owners and commercial clients to help ensure compliance with the act. Richard is also retained as a party wall surveyor for a number of national developers.

Read more

Party Wall Surveyors – Northampton

From our Birmingham office, Easton Bevins delivers expert party wall advice and support to clients in Northampton and the surrounding areas.

The origins of the Party Wall Act date back to measures introduced after the Great Fire of London, designed to regulate shared structures and prevent disputes. While the Act has evolved over time, its purpose remains to balance the rights of property owners with those of their neighbours.

As members of RICS, we uphold the highest standards of professionalism and expertise in property and construction. Our reputation for providing clear, concise advice and dependable service ensures your project is handled with care and precision.

Whether you are a private homeowner, a neighbour, or property developer, contact Easton Bevins for expert advice and assistance with any party wall project. 

BIRMINGHAM
Wassell Grove Business Centre
Wassell Grove Lane
Stourbridge
DY9 9JH

0121 817 7670

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