Party wall notice advice
Discussion
New neighbours-to-be popped over the other night with party wall notices- single storey extension out the back and beams in loft to remove chimney stacks - any advice in particular before signing and handing back the consents?
Seem like nice people so no issue with them having the work done.
Seem like nice people so no issue with them having the work done.
Tbh it's a rare thing in my experience that anyone bothers with party wall notices so I'd take it as a sign that they want to do it properly. If you're unsure that what they are doing is reasonable then speak to a professional surveyor or party wall surveyor. Sopunds like if they are removing the chimney breasts and putting steel in the loft to support and building an extension that's pretty minor stuff. Check the position of the extension to ensure the foundations and guttering are not over the boundary - if the wall is on the boundary, the foundations and guttering/fascias/soffits will be effectively trespassing.
Are the notices prepared by a surveyor? If they have appointed one to deal with this their behalf then this is a good thing.
Us Party Wall surveyors (for I be one) have very defined roles and do not act for clients but advise either building owners or, in your case, adjoining owners, and represent the interests of the wall.
Be clear though that party wall proceedings are in tended to avoid problems rather than cause them. All of this will be at your neighbour's expense. You may choose to 'dissent' to the works and appointment your own surveyor. In that situation fees would paid by your neighbour.
The party wall act does not allow trespass. It can allow for walls astride a boundary being constructed and for foundations being placed on your land. That's more complicated than you need to think about now. Putting steels into the wall is allowed but only up to the boundary line.
Dealing with the Party Wall Act is not optional although many home owners ignore it. I would suggest speaking to a local chartered building surveyor not a specialist party wall company who advertise. They will be able to advise on how best to proceed without running up a large bill for your neighbour. The RICS can direct you to a local surveyor.
There is a very helpful government website that covers party walls as well. If there is anything more specific I can add please feel free to PM me. I should add that I only do commercial stuff these days.
Us Party Wall surveyors (for I be one) have very defined roles and do not act for clients but advise either building owners or, in your case, adjoining owners, and represent the interests of the wall.
Be clear though that party wall proceedings are in tended to avoid problems rather than cause them. All of this will be at your neighbour's expense. You may choose to 'dissent' to the works and appointment your own surveyor. In that situation fees would paid by your neighbour.
The party wall act does not allow trespass. It can allow for walls astride a boundary being constructed and for foundations being placed on your land. That's more complicated than you need to think about now. Putting steels into the wall is allowed but only up to the boundary line.
Dealing with the Party Wall Act is not optional although many home owners ignore it. I would suggest speaking to a local chartered building surveyor not a specialist party wall company who advertise. They will be able to advise on how best to proceed without running up a large bill for your neighbour. The RICS can direct you to a local surveyor.
There is a very helpful government website that covers party walls as well. If there is anything more specific I can add please feel free to PM me. I should add that I only do commercial stuff these days.
The extension wall is 100mm to their side to allow for gutter protrusion etc. Seems all above board- the guy's a structural eng. and delivered the consents with a full copy of his proposed plans, copy of the party wall act and a bottle of wine and box of chocs!
Have no probs with him proceeding just had a best-to-ask-around-before-signing feeling;)
Have no probs with him proceeding just had a best-to-ask-around-before-signing feeling;)
You do have the option to conditionally consent to the notices as well as to consent or dissent.
For example you could consent on the condition that a Schedule of Condition is taken of your property before works start and that the neighbour agrees to make good or compensate for any damage caused.
Does sound like the neighbour knows what their doing and their obligations.
ETA;
If you're planning on doing an extension yourself in the future then you may wish to consider raising a Party Wall astride the boundary that you can enclose on later to avoid having a stupidly small gap between the properties.
For example you could consent on the condition that a Schedule of Condition is taken of your property before works start and that the neighbour agrees to make good or compensate for any damage caused.
Does sound like the neighbour knows what their doing and their obligations.
ETA;
If you're planning on doing an extension yourself in the future then you may wish to consider raising a Party Wall astride the boundary that you can enclose on later to avoid having a stupidly small gap between the properties.
Edited by mk1fan on Sunday 13th January 15:59
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