When it comes to commencing with building works it can be difficult to pin point whether or not the works would be notifiable under Party Wall Act.
If you find yourself in a situation like this, I would firstly recommend you get in contact with any of our experienced Party Wall Surveyors to utilise our offer of 60 minutes free Party Wall advice to any callers, here, you can provide us any of the information in regard to the works to be taken place, it’s usually common that we will request to be sent any of the architectural existing and proposed drawings you have so in order to provide the most accurate information on the matter.
So what works are actually covered by the Party Wall Act?
In my experience these tend to be the typical types of works covered by the Party Wall etc Act 1996:
- Insertion of a damp-proof course, even if only to your own side of a party wall. Commonly this is to eradicate a rising or penetrating damp issue.
- Making a party wall or party fence wall higher, shorter or deeper. Generally, this would be increasing the height of a wall to build an extension of it, or underpinning a party wall as part of deep excavations.
- Underpinning a party wall, or part of a party wall, commonly as part of basement works.
- Cutting into a wall to take the bearing of a beam or beams, for example facilitating a loft conversion.
- Removing chimney breasts from a party wall, common these days to increase internal living space.
- Demolishing and rebuilding a party wall or party fence wall, usually as a result of the wall being of insufficient strength.
- Weathering the junction of adjoining walls or buildings by cutting a flashing into an adjoining building. Common when two different walls are built in close proximity to one and other.
- Excavating foundations within six meters of an adjoining owner’s (neighbour’s) structure and lower than their foundations.
What works are not covered by the Party Wall Act?
It must be stated that the Party Wall Act isn’t intended to cover everyday minor works that don’t affect the structural infrastructure of the Party Wall, in my experience these tend to be:
- Adding or replacing electrical wiring or sockets
- Fixing plug sockets
- Re-plastering your walls
- Screwing in wall units or shelving
Party Wall Surveying situations can be tangled and at times unclear, I hope all the details I have provided help with any uncertainty that you may have had prior to reading this blog, I also hope you enjoyed reading it!
If you are about to serve a Party Wall Notice or have been served a Party Wall Notice and would like professional assistance, please don’t hesitate to get in contact I happily offer 60 minutes free Party Wall Advice to any callers!
