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.
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
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.