Party Wall Awards
(The Party Wall etc. Act 1996) A Party Wall Award sets the of engagement that must be adhered to, while building works are taking place within a property, that can have an effect on any neighbouring properties.
(The Party Wall etc. Act 1996) A Party Wall Award sets the of engagement that must be adhered to, while building works are taking place within a property, that can have an effect on any neighbouring properties.
The Building Owner is the person who wishes to undertake work to alter or extend their building, close to the boundary with another property or land.
The Act provides a Building Owner, with additional rights which go beyond ordinary common law rights. The most commonly used rights include:
To build close to or on the Line of Junction;
To raise the height of a party wall (for example, adding another storey);
To extend a party wall downwards (for example, to form a basement);
To cut into a party wall to take the bearing of a beam (for example for a loft conversion).
You must inform all adjoining owners (freeholders and leaseholders), before any works have taken place, sometimes giving either one to two months notice ahead of time (depending on what works are being conducted).
We advise that Building Owners speak to their neighbours before serving the formal notice. Neighbours that feel they are being kept informed are more likely to “play ball” and consent to your works taking place. If work starts without a notice being given, an adjoining owner can seek to stop the work through a court injunction or seek other legal redress.
You don’t need planning permission for your plans to serve notice, and once you’ve done so you can take up to a year to start work.
Stage 1
Serving Party Wall Notices, in writing, to the owners of properties that will be affected by the “Notifiable Works”. These property owners are referred to as Adjoining Owners. They can either “Consent” or “Dissent” to the works.
Our fees for serving Party Wall Notices to the first Adjoining Owner = £180 including VAT plus any additional disbursements.
Stage 2a
When Appointed as the Building Owner’s Surveyor or as the Agreed Surveyor
Our fees for a Party Wall Award with the first Adjoining Owner are £1,800 including is £1,800 including VAT plus any additional disbursements.
Stage 2b
When Appointed as the Adjoining Owner’s Surveyor
Our fees for a Party Wall Award as the Adjoining Owner’s party wall surveyor are £1,200 including VAT, plus any additional disbursements.
Stage 3
Reinspection of the Adjoining Owner Property after the Works
No charge. Costs are included in the fee for the Party Wall Award.
Disbursements
We also make a small charge for any additional expenses that we incur while carrying out the Party Wall procedures. These “disbursements” are for activities such as:
The average cost of disbursements is around £30 for properties in South London or North Surrey.