Exactly what is a Party Wall?

In simple terms a party wall sits astride a boundary to land belonging to several different owners and forms part of a building using one or both properties.

A wall which sits astride the boundary but will not form section of a building is really a Party Fence Wall for the purposes of the Act.

The term Party Structure is also found in the Act. A floor structure separating flats is one example of a Party Structure.

When does the Party Wall Act apply?

The Act will apply when:

Various works are completed to an existing Party Wall or Party Structure
New buildings or structures are erected up to or sat astride the boundary line
Excavations are completed up to 6 metres of a structure on a neighbouring property that have the potential to undermine the foundations of this structure

So the Act applies to my works, what do I do now?

If the Act applies you will be obliged to serve a Party Wall Notice on your neighbour, setting out information on the works at hand and providing key information such as for example plans, proposed commencement dates etc. In  https://zenwriting.net/cavewriter5/how-will-the-party-wall-act-affect-the-installation-of-my-conservatory  of adjacent excavations you may need to provide specialist details of foundations.

You can be obliged to give your neighbours between 1 and 2 months notice of commencement of work depending on which section of the Act applies.

What happens if my neighbour objects to my Party Wall Notice?

https://french-vance.hubstack.net/what-is-a-party-wall-1712715597  offers you the right to perform various types of work on or about the boundary line so provided your works are included in the Act your neighbour's objection cannot stop you going ahead but means that you will be obliged to follow the Dispute procedure lay out under Section 10 of the Act.

This requires you to appoint a Party Wall Surveyor to act in your stead. Your neighbour gets the right to appoint their very own surveyor or they may agree in the appointment of a single 'Agreed' surveyor. Where two surveyors are appointed they'll acknowledge the appointment of a third surveyor to adjudicate/referee where the two surveyors cannot agree.

The surveyor prepares the Agreement/Award which sets out the rights and obligations of both parties and carries a Schedule of Condition of the neighbouring property to record its condition before works start.

Exactly what is a Party Wall Agreement/Award?

This can be a written document made by the surveyor detailing the rights and obligations of the owners. The contents are agreed by the survey and upon completion the Agreement is served on the owners.

That is a legally binding document that may be enforced by the County Court where necessary.

Evans Jones certainly are a team of Chartered Building Surveyors in Cheltenham, who've been working with the Party Wall Act since its inception in 1996. You can be dealt with by way of a specialist Party Wall Surveyor with connection with all aspects of the Act who is able to advise you simply and clearly how best to meet your obligations beneath the Act.