Party Wall etc. Act 1996

The Party Wall Act is a framework for preventing and resolving disputes relating to works affecting party walls, party structures, boundary walls, and nearby excavations.

Party Wall Surveying

Whether you are a building owner planning to undertake work or an adjoining owner who has been served a notice, Core Compliance can provide specialist advice to help you navigate the Party Wall Act and protect your interests.

Site Appraisal

We review projects and sites at an early stage to advise on neighbourly matters and minimise the risks associated with the proposed works.

Drafting Notices

If you are a building owner who requires a notice to carry out work, we will draft compliant notices under the relevant sections of the Party Wall Act.

Responding to Notices

If you are an adjoining owner who has received a notice from a neighbour, we will advise on the implication of the works and respond on your behalf.

Schedule of Condition

We take schedules of condition of properties to provide an accurate record of the existing condition prior to works commencing.

Agreed Surveyor

We can act as an Agreed Surveyor, impartially administering the Party Wall Act on behalf of both building owner and adjoining owner.

Two Surveyors

We can act as Building Owner's Surveyor or Adjoining Owner's Surveyor, as required to fairly create a tribunal of surveyors under the Act.

Site Inspections

We can inspect properties before, during, and after the works to ensure compliance with the Party Wall Act and any agreed terms.

Awards

We draft, negotiate, and serve Party Wall Awards to formally resolve matters and protect the interests of both parties under the Act.

Damages

In the event that damage is caused by works, we assess the cause and liability, arranging appropriate compensation or making good as required.

Why Choose Core Compliance for Party Wall Matters?

Expert Advice

With extensive knowledge of the Party Wall Act and decades of experience across the team, Core Compliance are industry leaders in party wall matters.

Personal Approach

We customise our services to the owner's specific needs, ensuring an appropriate approach depending on the complexity, locality, and nature of disputes.

Clear Communication

Dealing with party wall matters can be confusing. We ensure a clear explanation of technical and procedural matters throughout the process.

Experienced Surveyors

Our surveyors have experience from small residential extensions to high-rise skyscrapers and deep mega-basements — no project is beyond our experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 and party wall surveying.

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 provides a framework for preventing and resolving disputes relating to party walls, party structures, boundary walls, and excavations near neighbouring buildings. It requires building owners to notify adjoining owners before carrying out certain types of work and, if a dispute arises, appoint surveyors to resolve matters formally.

You must serve a notice before carrying out work that affects a shared wall or structure (such as a loft conversion or extension), building a new wall on or near the boundary, or excavating within 3 or 6 metres of a neighbouring building depending on the depth. Notices must be served at least one to two months before work starts, depending on the type of notice.

Failure to serve the required notices is not a criminal offence, but it means you have no protection under the Act. Your neighbour could apply to court for an injunction to stop the works, and you could be liable for any resulting damage. It is strongly advisable to serve notices and follow the correct procedure before beginning work.

A Party Wall Award is a legally binding document drawn up by the appointed surveyor(s) that governs how the notifiable works will be carried out. It sets out the rights and obligations of both parties, including working hours, access arrangements, and the procedure for dealing with any damage that may arise during construction.

A Schedule of Condition is a detailed photographic and written record of the existing state of a neighbouring property taken before work begins. It protects both building owners and adjoining owners by providing clear evidence of the property's condition, making it easier to determine whether any damage has been caused by the construction works.

Yes. Core Compliance can act as the Agreed Surveyor where both the building owner and the adjoining owner consent to a single surveyor administering the Party Wall Act impartially on their behalf. This is often a more cost-effective and efficient approach than each party appointing their own surveyor.

The cost of party wall surveying depends on the complexity of the works, the number of adjoining owners affected, and whether surveyors can agree matters without dispute. The building owner is typically responsible for paying the reasonable costs of the party wall process. Core Compliance offers transparent fee structures and will provide a clear estimate before any work begins.

Need Party Wall Advice?

Contact Core Compliance for specialist party wall surveying support. Whether you are serving or receiving a notice, our team will guide you through every step of the process.

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