In this week’s Party Wall Surveying Blogpost, we are going to be discussing the Party Wall etc Act 1996, and the type of construction works that it indeed covers.
The Party Wall etc Act 1996 covers three distinct forms of construction works, as follows:
New Walls Built up to, or Astride, the Boundary Line
If you are planning on building a new wall up to, or astride, which effectively means half on your land, and half on the land of the Adjoining Owner’s property, then you will indeed be undertaking works that fall within the remit of the Party Wall etc Act 1996.
Commonly, these types of works are in the form of new garden walls, new flank walls to proposed side, rear, or even front extensions.
Works Directly to a Party Wall, Party Fence Wall, or Party Structure
This effectively means that you live in a terraced or semi-detached property, or in a flat that shares a floor or ceiling, or wall, with another owner within that flat, or you have a garden, that shares a boundary wall with an Adjoining Owner. In all of these circumstances, if you are planning on undertaking any works to those respective elements, you will indeed need to serve a Party Wall Notice upon the Neighbouring Owner in advance of the works commencing.
Formally dealt with under Section 2 of the Party Wall Act, these types of works are the most far and wide of the Act, and can cover everything from cutting into, or away from the structure itself, to exposing it, and even weatherproofing it.
Excavations within 6 Metres
If you are planning on undertaking excavations within six metres of an Adjoining Owner’s structure, you will need to serve a Party Wall Notice in advance of those works commencing.
Excavations is one of the most common forms of Party Wall works that Owners tend to find themselves undertaking, as generally speaking any type of extension front, rear or side, that Owners undertake to their properties, will require some form of formal excavation.
Party Wall procedures are a relatively straightforward and simple process, however as with any legal procedure can be fraught with issues that can arise, depending on the works, properties, and surrounding Owners.
If you are planning on undertaking works that you believe may fall within the realm of the Party Wall etc Act 1996, we would advise getting in touch with our team of qualified and experienced Party Wall Surveyors now, and we will be more than happy to assist you.
Likewise, if your neighbour is planning on undertaking works to their property and you would like to discuss these with us, please call now and we will be more than happy to help.
