Thank you for clicking on today’s Property Surveying blog. We are going to be taking a quick and simple look at Party Wall Awards.
A Party Wall Award, also commonly referred to as a Party Wall Agreement, is a legal document that is prepared by a Party Wall Surveyor, or Party Wall Surveyors.
The Award formally resolves the “dispute” that arose through an adjoining owner’s Party Wall Notice Dissent.
It gives the building owner the right to progress their planned construction work.
What Goes into a Party Wall Award?
In all normal circumstances, Party Wall Awards are relatively standardised document similar to a contract and will usually be made up as follows…
The Party Wall Award
This sets out the legal responsibilities the building owner will need to adhere to during the course of the works.
The Schedule of Condition Report
The Schedule of Condition Report covers and captures the condition of the adjoining owner’s property prior to the building owner’s construction works commencing. It acts as a record of proof in the event of a future damage allegation or claim.
The Drawings
The construction drawings will form part of the Award. Commonly, the drawings will include both the architectural and structural pack.
What are the Specifics of a Party Wall Award?
The Owners & Properties
Party Wall Awards will confirm both the building owner’s and adjoining owner’s information. This will include the name(s) of the legal owners and the property addresses.
The Party Wall Surveyors
It will also confirm the details of the Party Wall Surveyor, or Party Wall Surveyors.
If there a two separate Party Wall Surveyors, one acting on behalf of the building owner and another acting on behalf of the adjoining owners, it will also confirm who the Third Surveyor is.
Third Surveyor?
A Third Surveyor is a separate Party Wall Surveyor, selected by two respective Party Wall Surveyors to resolve any dispute that may arise.
The Construction Works
The Party Wall Award will confirm the construction works that are covered by the Party Wall etc Act 1996.
The Working Hours
The Award will set out and confirm the construction working hours that the building owner must adhere to during the course of the works.
Access Provisions
The Party Wall Award will set out any temporary access provisions that the building owner is afforded onto the adjoining owner’s property to safely complete the planned works. Access is likely to be highly restrictive, limited to a minimal period of time.
Party Wall Surveyor Costs
The Party Wall Award will confirm the Party Wall fees that are payable to the Party Wall Surveyor or Surveyors. It will also confirm who is responsible for those. In all normal cases, reasonable fees are the responsibility of the building owner.
Can I dispute a Party Wall Award?
When a Party Wall Award is served it affords both the building owner and adjoining owner the legal right of appeal. This appeal will need to be made within 14 calendar days of the Award being served.
Want to discuss Party Wall Surveying with the Surveying team here at Stokemont? Get in touch with us and give us a call today and claim your 30 minutes of free no strings advice!
