Adjoining Owner Party Wall Advice

Adjoining Owner - What Do I Do Now?

If you have received a Notice about proposed works that your neighbours plan to carry out to their property, you are required to respond in writing, within 14 days from the date on the Notice.

There are two main ways you can respond:
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Consent to the Notice
This simply put means that you agree for your neighbours to continue with their proposed works without a Party Wall Award being produced. You are still protected by the Party Wall etc Act 1996 if a dispute should arise.

We do advise owners who consent to the Notice to request that a Schedule of Condition be undertaken, by a Surveyor, of those parts of their property that could be affected by the proposed works. This will provide a record of the current condition of the adjacent areas prior to works commencing so that in the unlikely event of damage being caused it can be easily identified.

Dissent to the Notice
This option means that you would like a Party Wall Award prior to the works commencing.

You now have two options: you may concur in the appointment of an Agreed Surveyor or you may appoint an Adjoining Owner Surveyor:

Agreed Surveyor
The Party Wall etc Act 1996 is devised in such a way that a Surveyor appointed by any party, whether developer or neighbour, is required to act impartially to administer the rights and duties of both owners. We regularly act as an Agreed Surveyor as the process can be quicker and more cost-effective.

Adjoining Owner Surveyor
You may appoint a Surveyor of your choice. Most commonly your Surveyor’s reasonable fees, in all normal circumstances, will be met by the Building Owner.

Choosing to ‘dissent’ to the Notice should not be confused with disagreeing with the proposed works. If you disagree with the proposed works you should contact your local planning authority. Dissenting to the Notice simply means that you want a Party Wall Award produced before the works commence.

Not responding will not delay the proposed works.

If you would like help in responding to any Notice served,
Please contact us on 020 8877 0365.

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At our firm, our core values serve as the guiding principles that define who we are and how we operate. They form the foundation of our culture and shape our interactions with clients, colleagues, and the community. With integrity at the forefront, we prioritize ethical conduct, honesty, and transparency in all that we do.

Integrity

In all aspects of our work, we pursue professionalism and hard work to achieve the best results and resolutions for our appointing owners and their neighbours.

Communication

We understand the importance of great communication to help owners feel valued and to help track the progress of their party wall matters.

Excellence

We strive for excellence in all we do, continuously improving our knowledge and skills through our own experiences and via regular training sessions in our society memberships.