“I’ve received Party Wall notices from my neighbour, what should I do now?”
If you have received Party Wall notices, relating to building works proposed by your neighbour (the Building Owner), you have various options, depending on whether you have any concerns regarding the proposed works.
A) If you are not concerned about the works, you may simply give consent to the works in writing, in which case no appointment of party wall surveyors is required.
Or
B) If you have concerns regarding the works, you may dissent to the notifiable works, and request that Party Wall surveyors be appointed to prepare and serve a Party Wall Award.
Under option B) you may agree with the Building Owner in the appointment of an Agreed Surveyor, or both parties may appoint their own surveyor (Two Surveyors)
Under option B) a Party Wall Award must then be served on the parties by the Agreed Surveyor, or the Two Surveyors. The Party Wall Award is a legally binding document which details the works being done, and which specifies the manner in which the notifiable works must be carried out to minimise the risk of damage being caused to your premises. Where damage does occur as a result of the notifiable works, the Building Owner must make good the damage, or pay compensation.
The Party Wall Award will include a schedule of condition of your property, prior to works going ahead, to be referred to in the event that any damage is caused.
If you are uncertain whether to provide consent or dissent, it would be advisable to seek advice from a Party Wall surveyor, to help you decide on how to respond.
David Vizard AssocRICS MFPWS is an experienced Party Wall Surveyor and is pleased to advise on all party wall matters.
Woodward Chartered Surveyors cover an area from East of Oxford, High Wycombe, Beaconsfield, Amersham, Berkhamsted, Watford, Rickmansworth and into London, Northwood, Uxbridge, Harrow, Ealing and Mayfair.
