Party Walls

Party Wall etc. Act 1996 handling and administration service

If you’re planning to undergo work on a shared wall, structure or boundary, you might need a surveyor to put the right permissions in place.

As a certified Member of the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors (MFPWS), we’re well-versed in providing all the guidance and assistance you need to complete works to a shared party wall or to excavate nearby – and all without upsetting the neighbours.

Book survey

What’s included in our Party Wall etc. Act 1996 handling and administration service?

If you’re a property owner carrying out building work, we can:

• identify which properties are in scope of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996
• prepare and submit party wall notices where necessary
• produce a condition schedule of adjoining properties to protect you from liability on pre-existing defects

If your neighbour is carrying out building work, we can:

• advise you on legal rights under the Party Wall Act
• access ongoing building works to minimise risk of damage to your property
• liaise with the developer to cover our fees on your behalf where possible

• What is a party wall?
  Party walls are walls shared by more than one property ‘owner’. In most cases it constitutes a dividing wall between two houses, but might also include ‘party structures’, such as shared floors between flats and ‘party fence walls’.
• What buildings are covered by the Party Wall Act 1996?
  Whether you own a residential, commercial or industrial property, every type of premises with a shared wall is governed by the Act.
• When do I need a Party Wall etc. Act 1996 handling and administration service?
  Common examples of when you might need a Party Wall etc. Act 1996 handling and administration service include structural repairs, underpinning or raising walls, removing a chimney breast, cutting steel beams into walls for a loft conversion or excavating within six meters of a neighbour’s structure.
• Who is responsible for a party wall?
  In most cases, both parties are responsible for the general upkeep of a party wall. However, if work is being carried out by one party, it is usually their responsibility to fund any developmental work. Your surveyor will offer further guidance pertaining to your case.
• Who can act as a party wall surveyor?
  Regrettably, anyone can act as a party wall surveyor. However, since the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors (FPWS) came into being, there’s been a stronger effort to bring order and professionalism into the industry. Whilst that’s made it easier to find a qualified surveyor or other building professional, not all people trading as “party wall surveyors” are in fact qualified to offer the right guidance and support. At Tate Surveying Services, we’re proud to be part of the FPWS as a recognised party wall surveyor.
• What happens if I don’t follow Party Wall etc. Act 1996?
  We strongly advise you to follow the correct guidance and processes for submitting appropriate party wall notices. Should works commence without notifying your neighbour, it might become necessary to secure a formal party wall award, costing you additional time and money in the long run.