|
Party Wall Awards
The Party Wall etc Act 1996
The Building Owner can undertake a variety of operations to party
walls or floors (party stuctures) which separate their property from
their neighbours (Adjoining Owners) and to adjacent foundations,
though there are safeguards to protect the interests of the parties.
The procedure involves the issuing of notices and often the appointment
of a surveyor or surveyors, who will produce an agreement (known
as an award) which is binding on each party. In addition a schedule
of condition is usually prepared. There are variations on the theme;
for instance an Adjoining Owner might be content to allow the work
but nonetheless require a schedule of condition to be prepared.
For the Building Owner
Are you intending to undertake relevant work, such as:-
| |
Build a new wall near or on a boundary line. |
| |
Repair an existing party structure. |
| |
Alter a party structure, such as demolish and rebuild, raise
or lower, build in beam. ends, cut into or away from etc. |
| |
Underpin. |
| Temporarily expose a party structure to the weather. |
If so you will need to comply with the Act
Huntsman Eldridge will:-
|
Consider your plans - liaising with
your architect / engineer as appropriate. |
|
Prepare & serve notices with explanatory
letters. |
|
Act as either a jointly appointed surveyor
or the Building Owners surveyor. |
|
Prepare schedules of condition. |
|
Engage with other appointed surveyors
to agree matters. |
|
Deal with compensation and other monetary
issues as may arise. |
|
Progress the award from the drafting
stage to ultimate signing. |
|
Assess damage that may arise to neighbours
property. |
|
Manage the process within the time frame
provide in the Act or as otherwise may be agreed. |
For the Adjoining Owner
Have you:-
|
Heard from a neighbour that he/she intends to undertake relevant
work and seeks your permission. |
|
Received a written notice from your neighbour
or his/her surveyor |
|
Found out that your neighbour is undertaking
relevant work without informing you. |
If so you will need to quickly decide how to deal with it.
Huntsman Eldridge will:-
|
Advise you on your options. |
|
Respond to the neighbour on your behalf. |
|
Act as either a jointly appointed surveyor
or the Adjoining Owners surveyor |
|
Prepare or check a schedule of condition. |
|
Examine the neighbours proposals in
detail and consider the implications |
|
Engage with the neighbours surveyor
to agree matters. |
|
Deal with compensation and other monetary
issues as may arise. |
|
Check the award during its progress
from the drafting stage to ultimate signing. |
|
Inspect the work as it proceeds |
|
Assess damage that may arise to your
property. |
|
