GREAT BADDOW
THE PARTY WALL PEOPLE
We take pride in implementing the Party Wall Etc. Act 1996 in the Great Baddow area. We prepare and serve party wall notices on behalf of people,
we also undertake schedules of condition and as required, serve party wall awards (party wall agreements).
We are super proud of our 100% 5-star rating on Google which is a testament to our professional, personal and expert service
We hold membership with the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors (FPWS) and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE)
We carry Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance.
The Party Wall People are based in Chelmsford, Essex and do travel all over the southeast of England.
If you have any questions about the party wall act, please feel free to contact us for a free, no obligation consultation.
Why do I need a party wall surveyor?
Here are several good reasons:
Understanding and Compliance
A Party Wall surveyor can help you understand the requirements of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 and ensure that your proposed building works comply with the legal framework.
Notifying Adjoining Owners
The surveyor can assist in serving the required party wall notices to your neighbours, informing them of the planned works and initiating the process outlined in the Act.
Negotiation and Agreement
If disagreements arise with adjoining owners, a party wall surveyor can facilitate negotiations, address concerns, and work towards reaching an agreement. This can help prevent disputes and legal complications.
Party Wall Award
In cases where an agreement cannot be reached, a party wall surveyor can create a Party Wall Award, which is a legally binding document outlining the agreed-upon terms and conditions for the building works.
Impartiality
An appointed Agreed Surveyor is impartial and represents the interests of both parties involved. This ensures a fair resolution and compliance with the Act.
Documentation and Record-keeping
A surveyor will maintain detailed records of the process, including notices served, responses received, and any agreements reached. This documentation is essential for legal compliance and potential future reference.
Professional Advice
Party Wall matters can be complex, and a surveyor can provide professional advice to navigate the process efficiently. Their expertise can help you understand your rights and responsibilities under the Act.
While hiring a Party Wall surveyor is not a legal requirement, their involvement can significantly simplify the process, mitigate potential conflicts, and ensure that you fulfil your obligations under the Party Wall etc. Act.
It's advisable to consult with a qualified, reputable surveyor early in the planning stages of your construction project.
Contact The Party Wall People now for a free chat and fee proposal
OTHERS HAVE ASKED
CAN I START WITHOUT A PARTY WALL AWARD?
You can’t start any of the notifiable works without a consent from your neighbour or until a Party Wall Award has been served. However, you may be able to do some works related to the project which have been approved by planning approval for example. Lots of people serve the notices and even get an award in place before planning is approved to save time.
WHO WILL PAY THE FEES?
Most of the time, the Surveyors fees are covered by the Building Owner. The cost of two different surveyors will usually be higher than that of an Agreed Surveyor. It is worth knowing that the time to agree the Party Wall Award might also be longer.
CAN I JUST SERVE MY OWN PARTY WALL NOTICE?
Yes, you are able to produce and serve your own notices… But if they are served incorrectly they are invalid, and you will need to start all over again which could delay the start of your project. Having this done early on by a Party Wall Surveyor will deal with this potential risk.
DO I NEED TO INFORM MY NEIGHBOUR IF I WANT TO PUT UP A SHELF OR MOVE AN ELECTRICAL SOCKET?
This sort of work would be considered to be minor and such works would not need to be notified under the Act.
IS A TIMBER FENCE A PARTY WALL?
No, although references are sometimes made to shared or 'party fences'. These do not fall under the Act..
WHEN DO I NEED TO NOTIFY MY NEIGHBOURS?
Timing is really important, so reviewing your project with a Party Wall Surveyor to run through your project and check if any elements will require serving notice removes stress from the project early on, allowing you to concentrate on the rest of the job. We would recommend getting in touch as soon as a planning application has been submitted, if you intend to begin works promptly.
CAN MY NEIGHBOUR STOP MY PROJECT?
Your neighbour can’t stop you carrying out the project by not responding within the required timeframe. If this happens then the Act allows you to appoint another Surveyor on their behalf so that a Party Wall Award can be served. You can’t have an Agreed Surveyor in this scenario.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS IF I DON’T SERVE A NOTICE?
It is illegal to begin any notifiable works without a notice. Your neighbour has the right to serve an injunction and stop the work.
If you have done some work which might hinder your neighbour’s ability to have a project of their own, without serving the correct notice, you will be liable to compensate for any remediation or damages caused under common law. You will have to cover the cost for undoing this work and any related design fees.
CAN THE ACT BE USED TO RESOLVE A BOUNDARY DISPUTE?
No, The Act is not the tool to resolve boundary disputes and party wall surveyors have no powers to do so… The Act cannot be applied until a boundary dispute is resolved. In the case of a section 6 notice, which deals with excavations within a certain distance of the adjoining owner's property, the boundary location is irrelevant.