Solihull Party Wall Surveyors
Easton Bevins has a team of skilled party wall surveyors operating throughout Solihull, with wide expertise in managing projects under the Party Wall Act.
Whether you’re planning to undertake work on a party wall, structure, or boundary in Solihull or its surroundings, or have received a party wall notice from a neighbour and need expert advice, we are here to assist.
Our proficient surveyors will guide you through the entire process, ensuring that all work adheres to the Act. We also specialise in swiftly resolving any disputes that might arise, ensuring minimal disruption.
For expert advice and support relating to the Party Wall Act:
Call 0121 817 7670, 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, 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 commencing any work on a party wall. Failure to serve notice means you have no legal right to carry out 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.
Though often perceived as “official”, serving notice is a legal obligation, it also offers benefits not available under common law, such as the right to access for carrying out work.
In some cases, you may even be able to require your neighbour to contribute to the costs of the work, particularly if it involves a shared wall in poor condition.
Ultimately, the Act is designed to benefit both parties: allowing the person carrying out the work to proceed while protecting the neighbour from undue inconvenience and damage. The process need not be complicated; obtaining consent allows you to proceed, and any disputes can be resolved swiftly through the appropriate paperwork.
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 Birmingham probably due to the increase in 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 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.
