In this weeks Property Surveying Blog Post we are going to be discussing construction works, through the eyes of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
If you are planning on undertaking construction works to your property, and you live in a terraced, semi-detached, or detached property, the likelihood is you may need to notify your surrounding and neighbouring owners of the proposed works.
Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, if your works fall within the realm of the Act, you are legal required to serve a Party Wall Notice on your neighbouring owners a minimum of one, or two months in advance of the works commencing.
So this leads to the question, what type of works does the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 cover?
In a nutshell, it will deal with any works directly to a party wall, or party structure, a party structure being a floor, or ceiling that separates two flats.
Any work directly up to, or astride the boundary line, commonly this comes in the form of rebuilding garden walls, building new garden walls, or building new flank walls to proposed extensions.
Finally, the Act deals with any excavations within three, or six metres, of an adjoining owners property.
Party wall procedures can often be overlooked, and in many cases can lead to delay, and actually additional cost above and beyond those set out in the first instance, and pre-worked.
We would therefore advise that you speak with an experienced and qualified party wall surveyor today, to ensure that you are well abreast of the procedures.
If you would like to discuss your proposed party wall construction works with our team of qualified and experienced party wall surveyors, give us a call now and we will be more than happy to assist you.
