Westminster Party Wall Surveyors
If you are planning to carry out work on a party wall, party structure, or boundary wall, at a property in Westminster, or have received a party wall notice from a neighbour and require professional advice, Easton Bevins can help.
With a team of experienced party wall surveyors, and a centrally located London office, we are well-positioned to provide expert party wall advice to homeowners and their neighbours living in Westminster.
With expertise in managing party wall projects our team of qualified surveyors can guide you through the process and ensure that all work adheres to the rules of the Act.
We can also help to resolve any disputes that might arise, so that your project can be completed with minimum delays.
For expert advice and support relating to the Party Wall Act:
Call 0204 548 9835, email or complete
our enquiry form.
Party Wall Act
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 was introduced to prevent or resolve disputes related to work carried out on party walls, boundary walls, as well as excavations taking place 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 adjacent neighbour prior to commencing any work on a party wall. Failure to serve notice may prevent you from legally proceeding with the proposed work. In addition, should you need access to your neighbour’s property - for example to erect scaffolding - you must obtain the necessary permissions as required by the Act.
Although sometimes seen as as an unecessary extra task, serving notice is a legal requirement. It also provides advantages not covered by common law, such as the right to access a neighbour's property for construction purposes. In come cases, you may also be entitled to request that your neighbour contributes to the costs associated with the work, particularly if it pertains to a shared wall requiring repairs.
The Act is designed to protect the interests of both parties: it allows the party undertaking the work to proceed, while safeguarding the neighbour from undue disruption and potential damage.
The process is actually quite straightforward and, with the appropriate consent, work can advance without problems. Moreover disputes can usually be resolved by having the right documentation in place.
If you have any questions relating to work that falls under the party wall Act view our frequently asked questions or contact our expert surveyors.
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, especially in London, probably due to the higher value of property and land.
If you think someone has encroached on your land, then 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.
To enquire about boundary disputes call 0204 548 9835. Read More
the Party Wall 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 party wall surveyor to act for both parties to resolve the matter
iii) dissent to the works and appoint their own surveyor, so there would be a separate surveyor working for each party.
Stage 3
If the neighbour does not consent, this is a party wall dispute, which must be resolved by way of a party wall award.
What is a party wall award?
The 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 an 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.
