Are you considering undertaking construction projects that might fall under the Party Wall Act 1996 regulations? You might not have much information regarding this act. You might have even received a party wall notice from your adjacent property owner. Whatever the scenario is, you must know about the steps to follow next.
Legal procedures are involved with party walls, so it’s better to consult with an experienced party wall surveyor in Tooting. However, before reaching out to a party wall expert, here are the most frequently asked questions related to party walls that will be helpful to you.
Most Important Questions To Ask Before Hiring A Party Wall Surveyor
#1 – What Is The Party Wall Act 1996? What’s The Primary Purpose Of It?
A party wall is a shared property that is owned by both you and your neighbour. So, when it comes to reconstructing the party wall or if any excavation is required near the wall, you need to serve a party wall notice to inform your neighbour about the upcoming construction project. All these regulations fall under the Party Wall Act 1996. This act is a legal framework designed to prevent and sort out disagreements related to the party walls near your neighbouring property. This act protects the interests of both the property owners. Also, it grants legal rights to the owner, facilitating him to undertake construction works on his land to the fullest potential.
However, to execute this construction process without any legal dispute or hassle, hiring a party wall surveyor in Tooting is better. Different types of home renovation work, such as loft conversions, basement excavations, and building extensions, may fall under the scope of the Party Wall Act 1996. Book an appointment with the party wall expert and discuss your situation for the best solution.
#2 – What Are The Circumstances When The Act Will Be Applicable?
The Party Wall Act 1996 widely covers 3 different ‘notifiable’ works that include:
- The construction works, which may affect the boundary wall between two adjoining properties
- Excavation projects within a particular distance of common and adjoining structures
- Altering any shared or jointly owned party structures
- The notifiable projects can include the insertion of beams into the party wall structures between the terraced houses for a loft conversion, the removal of a chimney breast attached to a party wall, or excavation works for building an extension within a radius of 3 meters of your neighbour’s property and building a flank wall adjacent to the boundary wall as part of the extension.
#3 – Does The Neighbour’s Builder Have Any Right To Your Property?
According to the Party Wall Act, your adjoining property owner and their building contractors can access your property if the building construction work is not carried out in any other way, and the party wall notice is given 14 days before the home renovation work.
But this access should be deemed ‘necessary.’ Typically, if there is any other way for your neighbour to undertake the building construction work without impacting your property or entering your land if it is more costly, that is the way they should carry out the construction work.
#4 – Why Should You Appoint A Party Wall Surveyor?
An expert party wall surveyor in Tooting can help you process a schedule of conditions for the adjoining property’s riskiest parts before commencing building works. If any damage occurs, both property owners will be protected from unwanted or accidental claims made by another party as part of the schedule of conditions.
As a professional party wall specialist in Tooting, we suggest that property owners discuss their neighbours before serving a party wall notice to maintain a good relationship. However, if any dispute arises, each property owner should formally appoint a party wall surveyor to serve a party wall award and agree upon it.
Contact Party Walls Surveyors today to handle your party wall-related matters professionally. We have extensive years of experience in this field and deliver the best services to our clients. Book an appointment today.