Hello and welcome to today’s informative property surveying blog post, in which we are going to be discussing Party Wall Surveying matters. Within this blog post, I am going to be taking a look at what are some typical Party Wall works as defined within The Party Wall etc Act 1996.
All the different Party Wall Works fall under 3 sections within The Party Wall etc Act 1996, this is within Sections 1, 2, and 6.
Throughout this blog post, I may also refer to any Party Wall works as notifiable works as any planned works that do fall under the Act would require a Party Wall Notice to be served on to your neighbor/s (adjoining owner/s)
Section 1 New building on the line of junction
Section 1 of The Party Wall etc Act 1996 is concerned with any planned works that are on or astride the line of junction.
The line of junction essentially refers to the dividing line between two different parcels like a boundary line but, where they differ is that the line of junction also extends upwards.
The types of work that this will usually be covered are the construction of new fences and walls that fall on the line of junction or astride.
So in essence what this means is that if there is a construction of a new fence wall or a new party wall that lies on the boundary line or right up to the edge of the boundary line then this will fall under section 1.
Section 2 Repair etc. of party wall: rights of owner
Section 2 works involve any works that occur along the Party Wall and have the most variety to it in regard to the different types of planned works that it encompasses.
Some of the planned works that section 2 include are as follows:
- Cut into the Party wall for a number of different reasons such as the installation of steel beams for a loft conversion.
- Implementing a damp proof course.
- Cutting away from the party wall
- Demolishing and rebuilding a party wall that is not fit for purpose
- Underpin the wall
As you can see there is a large variety to the works that can occur on the Party Wall and generally, we at Stokemont tend to find that most Part Wall matters will involve some form of section 2 works.
Section 6 Adjacent excavation and construction
Section 6 of The Party Wall etc Act 1996 includes planned works that relate to excavations near the line of junction, depending on the depth of the foundations that are being proposed this will determine how far away the adjoining owner’s property needs to be before the works would be considered notifiable.
As if the proposed excavations go deeper than 1m then this will fall within the 3m rule of The Part Wall etc Act 1996, so if the adjoining owner’s foundations are within 3 meters of the excavations then this would be considered notifiable.
Although for foundations deeper this may trigger the 6m rule. The 6m rule encompasses any foundations that if you were to measure at a 45-degree angle at the base of the adjoining owner’s foundations if the proposed foundations were to go deeper than where the line of the angel was to cross the foundations this would trigger the 6m rule.
So if the adjoining owner’s property is within 6 meters this would be considered notifiable works under the Act.
Typically you would be likely to see the 6m rule on things such as basement conversions where deep excavations would be required for the formation of the basement, or if pile foundations are going to be a necessary aspect of the planned works.
Thesis are just some examples of what types of planned works that do fall under the Party Wall etc Act 1996, I hope this gives you further insight into the Party Wall etc Act 1996 and into Party Wall matters.
If you have any questions or quires in regards to Party Wall matters or any of the other services that we offer here at Stokemont, then please feel free to get in touch today by either giving us a call or alternatively pop us over an email, our team of experienced Surveyors will be happy to assist and advise you.
