Westminster Party Wall Surveyors
If you are planning to carry out work on a party wall, party structure, or boundary wall, at a property in Westminster, or have received a party wall notice from a neighbour and require professional advice, Easton Bevins can help.
With a team of experienced party wall surveyors, and a centrally located London office, we are well-positioned to provide expert party wall advice to homeowners and their neighbours living in Westminster.
With expertise in managing party wall projects our team of qualified surveyors can guide you through the process and ensure that all work adheres to the rules of the Act.
We can also help to resolve any disputes that might arise, so that your project can be completed with minimum delays.
For expert advice and support relating to the Party Wall Act:
Call 0204 548 9835, email or complete our enquiry form.
Party Wall Act
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 was introduced to prevent or resolve disputes related to work carried out on party walls, boundary walls, as well as excavations taking place near neighbouring properties.
You can download the Government’s explanatory booklet for further information.
Download booklet
According to the Party Wall Act, you are required to notify your adjacent neighbour prior to commencing any work on a party wall. Failure to serve notice may prevent you from legally proceeding with the proposed work. In addition, should you need access to your neighbour’s property – for example to erect scaffolding – you must obtain the necessary permissions as required by the Act.
Although sometimes seen as as an unecessary extra task, serving notice is a legal requirement. It also provides advantages not covered by common law, such as the right to access a neighbour’s property for construction purposes. In come cases, you may also be entitled to request that your neighbour contributes to the costs associated with the work, particularly if it pertains to a shared wall requiring repairs.
The Act is designed to protect the interests of both parties: it allows the party undertaking the work to proceed, while safeguarding the neighbour from undue disruption and potential damage.
The process is actually quite straightforward and, with the appropriate consent, work can advance without problems. Moreover disputes can usually be resolved by having the right documentation in place.
If you have any questions relating to work that falls under the party wall Act view our frequently asked questions or contact our expert surveyors.
Party wall disputes v. boundary disputes
Party wall disputes are sometimes confused with boundary disputes but the two are very different.
Find out more about party wall disputes:
Read more
Boundary disputes have recently become a more common occurrence, especially in London, probably due to the higher value of property and land.
If you think someone has encroached on your land, then that would be classified as a boundary dispute and cannot be dealt with under the Party Wall Act.
Easton Bevins has boundary experts specialising in this complex area. We can also provide expert witness services if required.
Find out more about boundary disputes call us on 02047 548 9835
Party Wall Act - The Process
Stage 1
If you are planning work on an existing party wall you need to give two months’ notice. If you are planning on excavating or building a new wall at the line of junction you need to give one month’s notice.
If you do not give notice your neighbour has the right to serve an injunction which will stop all work while a resolution is reached.
Stage 2
Once notice has been given, your neighbour will have three options.
i) consent to the works
ii) dissent to the works and you both agree to appoint one party wall surveyor to act for both parties to resolve the matter
iii) dissent to the works and appoint their own surveyor, so there would be a separate surveyor working for each party.
Stage 3
If the neighbour does not consent, this is a party wall dispute, which must be resolved by way of a party wall award.
What is a party wall award?
The award is a legal document that governs certain aspects of the works such as timings, working hours, and potentially detail of the works.
Pre-works condition schedule
A pre-works condition schedule is required as part of an award, and is considered good practice even in the event of consent. The schedule provides a record that can be referred back to in case of any damage during the works and serves to protect both parties – the person doing the work and the neighbour.
A party wall award is legally binding, however both sides will have 14 days to appeal the award in the County Court.
Party Wall Advice for Property Developers
The Party Wall Act is particularly relevant to property developers when extending or repurposing buildings next to existing properties, or constructing new developments close to neighbouring structures.
Notice must also be served on any site where building work is planned within three metres of a neighbouring property, and in some cases this distance extends to six metres.
Our experienced surveyors can work with developers planning construction work in Westminster to assess and manage any implications for their projects.
We provide expert advice and guidance relating to work that falls under the party wall Act, ensuring compliance with its rules. Many developers now routinely send us their plans so that we can identify where the Act may apply and manage the process on their behalf.
Compliance with Party Wall rules
Awareness of the Party Wall Act has significantly improved in recent years and more-established contractors now recognise the importance of adhering to its rules.
Applying for planning permission will also trigger a reminder to check whether the Act applies to a project. However smaller projects that are carried out under permitted development often don’t require planning permission so the reminder is missed.
There is sometimes a misconception that the Party Wall Act is an unnecessary hindrance, leading some contractors undertaking smaller works to overlook or misunderstand its relevance, putting projects and individuals at risk.
What to do if a neighbour starts work without serving notice
A good first step is to politely inform your neighbour of the oversight and request that they stop work until notice is served. This usually resolves the issue.
What to do if a neighbour continues without agreement
If the neighbour does not comply, you may apply for an injunction to halt the work. An injunction can delay a project by one to six months or longer. If work has already started, the builder may continue to charge during the stoppage. Any damage caused could also lead to significant fines.
Seeking professional advice early can help prevent the situation from escalating. A professional can offer impartial support, keeping emotions in check. Remember, the Act benefits all parties involved, and in most cases, a resolution is reached without the need for costly legal action.
If you have any questions about party walls, view our frequently asked questions or get in touch with one of our expert surveyors today.
Party Wall Advice – Westminster
If you’re planning work that might fall under the party wall Act, or have received notice from a neighbour and are unsure how to respond, our surveyors can help.
We are experienced in working with homeowners and their neighbours, as well as property developers. Whatever your situation, professional advice from our expert party wall surveyors can help ensure compliance with the rules of the Act. Also, in the event of a dispute, having the correct paperwork in place can often help resolve matters quite quickly.
With support fees starting at just £150, it really does make sense to do things the right way from the start. We also have a team of expert witnesses who specialise in party wall disputes available should this be required.
If you have any questions about party walls, view our frequently asked questions or contact one of our expert surveyors.
Our experts
Michael Bull
Head of Block Management
With many years’ experience Mike has particular expertise in working on projects that fall under the Party Wall Act. Mike also offers expert witness services and has worked on numerous high-profile cases.
Richard Sherwood
Chief Operating Officer
As an expert party wall surveyor Richard works with both home owners and commercial clients to help ensure compliance with the act. Richard is also retained as a party wall surveyor for a number of national developers.
Ben O’Brien
Chief Executive Officer
Ben is an experienced party wall surveyor and has worked on numerous projects helping both developers and home owners manage compliance.
Party Wall Advice – Local Westminster Experts
If you are considering any party wall work or have received a notice from a neighbour and are uncertain about the next steps, our Westminster surveyors are ready to assist.
We possess extensive experience supporting homeowners, neighbours, and property developers throughout Westminster with all aspects of the Party Wall Act.
Regardless of your circumstances, expert advice from our knowledgeable surveyors ensures adherence to the Act’s stipulations. In the event of a disagreement, the proper documentation can usually facilitate a swift resolution.
Our fees for support under the Party Wall Act start from just £150, making it a prudent investment to ensure matters are handled correctly from the beginning. Should the need arise, we can also provide expert witnesses who specialise in party wall disputes.
If you have any questions about party walls, view our FAQs or get in touch with one of our expert surveyors today.
LONDON
10 Gray’s Inn Square
Gray’s Inn
London
WC1R 5JD
0204 548 9835
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