Party Wall
Jul 31, 2024

The Role of RICS Party Wall Surveyors in Your London Property Project: What does a Party Wall Surveyor do?

Dealing with London Party Wall can feel like a maze. The good news is that we organise Party Wall RICS Surveyors to ......

Dealing with London Party Wall can feel like a maze. The good news is that we organise Party Wall RICS Surveyors to assist with disputes. This article will shed light on what they do to help you navigate the Party Wall Etc Act 1996 and ensure your renovation plans go smoothly.

What does a Party Wall Surveyor do?

A Party Wall Surveyor is a quasi-judicial expert who operates within the Party Wall Etc Act 1996 and settles the relevant neighbourly disputes. They are sometimes registered with RICS and often work independently. Their job is to help people follow this law when they want to build or fix something close to their neighbour's property, making sure everything is fair and everyone follows the rules.

They do important things like drafting a Party Wall Award or Agreement. This document says how the building work should go on so it respects both neighbours' rights. The surveyor also gives honest advice to property owners about their projects, making sure no one breaks the law.

Ensuring peace between neighbours during construction is the heart of what the work involves. Next, let's explore the services offered by party wall experts in London.

Party Wall Surveyor London

Our Party Wall Surveyors London team offers many services such as helping you with your party wall surveying needs. Party Wall surveying services reach out across the whole London area, including Central London, South East London, South West London, and North London. No matter where your property sits in these locations, there's a surveyor ready to assist with your party wall dispute. Residents in any part of London can easily find expert help for their construction projects or property development plans.

The focus with party wall surveying is in making urban planning and development more straightforward for everyone involved, whether it’s structural engineers working on new buildings or homeowners planning extensions.

Responsibilities under the Party Wall Etc Act 1996

The Party Wall Etc Act 1996 sets clear rules for property owners doing any building work near or on a shared wall. It says that if someone plans to alter a shared wall, they must tell their neighbours about their plans.

This law helps avoid disputes between neighbours by making sure everyone knows what changes are going to happen and agrees to them. Property owners have to serve Party Wall Notices, which kick-starts the process under this Act.

One key point is that the costs for drawing up the Party Wall Award or Agreement usually fall on the person doing the work. This means if you're planning changes, you'll need to budget for these expenses too.

The award outlines what work can be done, how and when it should be carried out, and offers protection for both parties involved.

The preparation and administration of a Party Wall Award ensures fairness and clarity for both property owners.

Role of a Party Wall Surveyor in London

A Party Wall Surveyor helps resolve issues between neighbours about shared walls or construction work close to boundaries. They make sure everyone follows the rules and agrees before any building starts.

What is a Party Wall Award?

Party Wall Surveyors play a key role in the drafting and serving of Party Wall Awards. This is set by the Party Wall Act of 1996. The surveyors make an agreement which maps out construction work on boundaries or shared walls between neighbours. This document includes all important details like how and when the work will happen, plus it makes sure to cover costs and fees for both owners’ surveyor expenses.

The process ensures fairness and clarity, easing potential tensions between neighbours. It's about keeping things smooth before builders start their job. By doing this, everyone knows what’s happening and agrees on how things will move forward—making sure rights are protected while allowing improvements to go ahead without unnecessary hold-ups or disputes.

Impartial Advice for Property Owners

Property owners planning structural changes, repairs, or construction need the right advice. A Party Wall Surveyor offers this guidance impartially. They help if you're building a new wall, cutting into one, or even knocking down and rebuilding. Think about excavations near a neighbour's foundation too. All these tasks require understanding and respect for both your rights and those of your neighbours.

Expert advice is key when making changes that impact a shared property boundary. Surveyors explain how planned work can affect neighbouring properties and so their expertise will assist you in making your project comply with the law while keeping relations friendly next door.


Party Wall Notices and Procedures

When you plan to work on walls shared with neighbours, serving a Party Wall Notice is key. This starts the process and spells out your intentions clearly. This is ordinarily done 1-2 months before work begins, depending on the type of work. It’s best to get the post out the door sooner rather than later.

Types of Party Wall Notice

Party Wall Notices are key in any construction or renovation work close to adjoining properties in London. They ensure neighbours are informed and can agree or dispute the proposed works under the Party Wall Act of 1996.

Here's a list of different types of Party Wall Notices:

  1. Line of Junction Notice: you serve this when you want to build a new wall at the boundary between two properties.
  1. Party Structure Notice: used for modifications that directly affect a party wall or structure, such as cutting into it to insert load bearing beams.
  1. Notice of Adjacent Excavation: served on neighbours if you plan to excavate near their property or building foundations.

Each notice plays a part in ensuring all parties are aware and consent to construction activities, protecting interests and preventing disputes down the line.

Neighbour's options after receiving a Party Wall Notice

Receiving a Party Wall Notice can leave neighbours wondering what to do next. Luckily, they have several choices to consider, based on the Party Wall Act of 1996. Here's what you can do after a Party Wall Notice has been served on you:

  1. Consent to the works: neighbours may agree with the planned works and this means they are fine with their neighbour's construction or renovation plans going ahead as outlined in the notice.
  1. Dissent to the works and appoint their own surveyor: #if neighbours aren't happy with the proposed works, they can dispute it and choose a surveyor to represent their interests. This way, they ensure someone is looking out for their property and concerns.
  1. Dissent to the works and appoint an 'agreed surveyor': instead of each side having a separate surveyor, which could lead to disagreements and increased costs and delays, both parties might pick one surveyor they both trust. This party wall surveyor makes decisions fairly for both sides.

So, after receiving a Party Wall Notice, neighbours can either give it the thumbs up, firmly disagree by appointing their own expert to protect their interests, or say no but work together on finding common ground with an agreed surveyor. 

Recommended RICS Surveyors in London

Finding the right RICS surveyors in London is easy via us. Our panel of London party wall surveyors provide expert services to make sure your property and party wall needs are well taken care of.

Survey Merchant Services – the London Party Wall Team

Survey Merchant are known for organising independent and impartial RICS Surveyors in London, who handle party wall matters of all sizes with ease. Surveying services include a range of RICS Property Surveys like the Condition Report, Homebuyer Report, Building Survey, along with specialised Party Wall Surveys and Property Valuations.

This means the team can check out any property issue you might have, from simple checks to in-depth assessments of your building's state. Your surveyor will make sure every aspect of your property is looked at carefully. Whether it's checking how solid a house is before you buy it or figuring out property values. Survey Merchant’s panel of surveyors have the skills to help.

Available property surveys

Different surveys are necessary for different requirements by clients as follows:

  1. Condition Report: this survey gives an overview of the property's condition, pointing out any major problems without going into much detail. It's a straightforward report that helps buyers understand the basic state of their potential new home.
  1. Homebuyer Report: a step-up from the Condition Report, this service includes all the features of the Condition Report but goes further by covering issues like dampness and subsidence. It also often includes a market valuation and insurance rebuild costs.
  1. Full Building Survey: for those who need a detailed analysis, the Building Survey is top-tier. It covers everything from minor defects to major structural concerns, providing an in-depth review of the property's condition. This survey is highly recommended for older or uniquely-built homes.
  1. Party Wall Surveys: specifically designed for situations where work is being done on shared walls or near boundary lines, this survey ensures all actions are legally sound and won't negatively impact neighbouring properties.
  1. Property Valuations: a fundamental service for buyers, sellers, or anyone involved in real estate transactions, offering a precise assessment of a property's worth in the current market.

Each survey serves its unique purpose and provides essential information suited to different needs and situations in real estate decision-making processes.

Contact Information

You can reach out to Survey Merchant for expert RICS surveyors in London. They’ve got a free guide waiting for you, along with sample surveys and valuation report examples.

If you’re looking for a clear way to compare property surveys, the team offer an RICS Property Survey Comparison if you get in touch. Whether it’s building survey quotes or detailed property inspection services you need, they're ready to help. If you are asking for party wall surveyors near me, please submit an enquiry.

Conclusion

Party Wall RICS Surveyors in London can resolve disputes concerning shared walls between properties. They know all about the intricacies of the Party Wall Act and work all over London to make sure everyone is informed on any building plans that involve party walls or structures near boundaries. With their fair advice, property owners can move ahead with changes without disputes or with disputes settled by virtue of a Party Wall Award. So, on your next property project, consider getting a Party Wall Surveyor involved early on to avoid any excessive delay or monetary costs! Read our description of party wall to understand more about how the Act works.