WOODFORD
THE PARTY WALL PEOPLE
We are the experts at implementing the Party Wall Etc. Act 1996 in Woodford. We can prepare and serve party wall notices, undertake schedules of condition and if required, produce and serve party wall awards (party wall agreements).
Our 100% 5-star rating on Google speaks to our professional, personal and expert service
​We hold memberships 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 travel to client’s premises all over the southeast of England.
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If you have any questions about the party wall act, please feel free to contact us for a free, no obligation chat.
The Party Wall Etc. Act 1996 sets out to protect property owners' interests when a project is required, while at the same time ensuring that the project can continue in a timely manner.
The Act requires that when an owner of a property carries out certain works such as digging a foundation within 3m of their neighbour's property, removing a chimney from a party wall, cutting into a party wall for steelwork or building a new wall on the boundary (line of junction), they inform all affected neighbours of their intention by serving the correct notices.
Woodford is a prestigious area featuring a stunning array of Edwardian and Victorian villas, alongside high-end 1930s Metroland style homes. The vernacular here often includes intricate brickwork and decorative plaster finishes that are highly sensitive to vibration. When we are appointed as surveyors for a project in Woodford—be it a basement conversion near the Green or a large loft conversion in South Woodford—we prioritise detailed Schedule of Condition. Given the high property values, documenting the pre-existing state of a neighbour’s expensive internal finishes is the best way to prevent costly and stressful disputes later.
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The ground in Woodford is predominantly London Clay, but as you move toward the higher ground near Epping Forest, you encounter the Bagshot Formation (sands and gravels). This transition between sand and clay can lead to perched water tables. When excavating within 3 or 6 metres of a neighbour's property, we ensure that the structural designs have considered these specific conditions. We act to ensure that any special foundations (reinforced concrete) used to support grand extensions are correctly notified and that the neighbour’s legal rights are fully protected throughout the build.
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For free advice and assistance with your project please contact us. info@tpwp.co.uk
PEOPLE OF WOODFORD WONDER
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CAN I START WITHOUT A PARTY WALL AWARD?
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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?
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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.
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CAN I JUST SERVE MY OWN PARTY WALL NOTICE?
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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 PERMISSION TO PUT UP A SHELF OR MOVE AN ELECTRICAL SOCKET?​
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This sort of work would be considered to be minor and such works would not need to be notified under the Act.
WHAT ABOUT A TIMBER FENCE - IS THAT A PARTY WALL?
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No, although references are sometimes made to shared or 'party fences'. These do not fall under the Act..
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WHEN DO I NEED TO NOTIFY MY NEIGHBOURS?
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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?
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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?
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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 LOCATE A BOUNDARY?
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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.