Staffordshire Party Wall Surveyors
Easton Bevins offers a specialist team of party wall surveyors serving Staffordshire, with extensive expertise in managing projects in compliance with the Party Wall Act.
If you're planning work on a party wall, structure, or boundary in Staffordshire, or if you've received a party wall notice from a neighbour and need expert advice, we’re here to assist.
Our experienced surveyors will guide you through the entire process, ensuring that all work adheres to the Act. We are also skilled in resolving potential disputes swiftly, ensuring minimal disruption to your project.
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 and 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
According to the Party Wall Act, you are required to notify your adjoining neighbour before beginning any work on a party wall. If you do not serve notice, you will not have the legal right to proceed. Additionally, if you need access to your neighbour’s property - for example, to erect scaffolding - you must obtain permission under the Act.
Although serving notice can sometimes seem like bureaucratic red tape, it is a legal requirement. It also provides benefits that the common law does not, such as the right to access for necessary work.
In some cases, you may be able to require your neighbour to contribute to the cost of works, particularly if the repair involves a shared wall in need of maintenance.
The Party Wall Act is designed to protect both parties: allowing the person conducting the work to proceed while protecting the neighbour from unnecessary disruption or damage. The process is simple; with consent, work can move forward smoothly, and any disputes can be resolved quickly through the correct documentation.
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 Staffordshire 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:
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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.
