The Party Wall Process
Party Wall Surveyor Kent
This process is all based around the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, which is all started by the issuing of a party wall notice in specific circumstances and it is something you are LEGALLY required to do.
The primary purpose of the Act is to provide a framework for amicably preventing and resolving disputes between neighbours in relation to Party Walls, Boundary Walls and Excavations near neighbouring buildings.
Building owners are given statutory rights that did not exist in existing common law when undertaking certain types of construction as defined by the Act.
The Party Wall Process Explained
The types of works covered by the Act are:
There are three types of party wall notice namely a Line of Junction Notice, Party Structure Notice and Section 6 Notice. The circumstances under which may be served are detailed below:
Section 1 Notice / Line of Junction Notice
If you are planning to build a new wall either as a Party Wall or a Party fence wall (astride a boundary) subject to your neighbour’s consent or up to the line of junction and wholly on your own land, a Section 1 Notice must be served.
Section 3 Notice / Party Structure Notice
If you are planning to cut into a Party Wall to insert flashings or a damp proof course, cut away chimney breasts or projections, raise, rebuild repair, underpin, expose the Party Wall to the weather or enclose upon a wall on or at the line of junction turning it into a Party Wall, in such cases a Section 3 Notice must be served.
Section 6 Notice / Notice of Adjacent Excavation:
If you are planning to excavate within 3m of the neighbour’s foundations to a lower depth, or within 6m to a lower depth than a line struck at 45 degrees down from the underside of the neighbour’s foundations, then a section 6 notice must be served.
These types of work all require notices to be served as required by the act, once notice has been served, if there is dissent then it is deemed there is a dispute and the Act allows for this, this would be the dispute or resolution stage. Most disputes arrive when the Adjoining Owner has worries or concerns with the proposed work or simply fails to respond in the statutory time to the building owner, for which there could be many reasons.
Where a dispute arises either due to non-consent or no response then the Act lays down the steps required to resolve the dispute this is where the Building Owner and the Adjoining Owner will each appoint their Surveyor this could be one each or even the same surveyor with an agreement for all parties working as the Agreed Surveyor.
Party Wall Surveyors, will deal with disputes by issuing an Award. Party Wall Award(s) are ways of dealing with disputes under the Party Wall etc. Act
At Home Heroes we are able to work on your behalf both before the need for a party wall surveyor by preparing and serving notice and once a dispute is deemed, we have experience working as building owners, adjoining owners and even an agreed surveyor.
Received a Party Wall Notice?
We can help please consider calling us to discuss your needs or complete the contact us form on this site
Architects, Property Developers and Neighbours
We offer a free, no obligation review of plans and drawings in order that we can advise you and /or your Architect whether the Act applies to your proposed development or indeed whether you are likely to be affected by a development proposed by your neighbour. Click Here to send us the details
Wish to read more? Just click which one applies to you
I wish to do building work to my property
My neighbour is doing building works to their property
Contact Us Today:
Need Help….Still have questions about your work…. Why not complete the below form and tell us a little bit about your work and we will get back to you to answer your question alternatively you can ring for free no-obligation Party Wall Advice.
We cover Canterbury, Margate, Ramsgate, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Folkestone, Dover, Deal, Ash, Sandwich, Faversham, Sittingbourne and Other Kent Locations for all Our Party Wall, Building Surveys, Home Buyer Reports.
Downloads:
You can download a copy of the act, the explanatory guide for homeowners below
Overall Rating
A few weeks ago I phoned Nathan for some advice. With this I was able to serve my own party wall notices and my neighbour agreed. He was really helpful, no pushy sales man like behaviour and even looked at the plans and checked I was right. I will be back when we move to order a survey for our new property.
Nathan was very helpful. Despite not being in his area, he took the time to answer my questions and respond to my emails over the festive period. The website offers a free plan check and Nathan went above and beyond with his friendly and thorough advice. I would definitely recommend him.
Very friendly and professional service. Nathan helped us to deal with a difficult situation with a Level 2 Survey. Would highly recommend.
Nathan helped navigate us through a really challenging Party Wall agreement. He is professional, knowledgeable, responsive, courteous and excellent value. Would highly recommend.
Home Heroes provided me with an incredibly thorough, informative report, the turn around was really quick, and they offered fantastic aftercare. This is the first review I have ever written and I am doing it because I can not praise them enough, if you need a survey done I would highly recommend you use Home Heroes.
We asked Nathan for help and advice about a party wall issue prior to a planned development at our house. He was really quick to respond and was extremely helpful. He gave us lots of useful information and advice even before we hired him to undertake a survey for us. He was friendly, efficient and prompt and gave us a very quick response to our queries in a very professional manner. We would definitely recommend.
Nathan completed a a level 2 survey for us in Ramsgate for a flat we were buying. He did a very good job and was very informative. Nothing seemed to much trouble! I received a well presented report and have no hesitancies recommending.
Nathan Undertook a survey on a listed building which we where buying in Whitstable and he was able to identify a few issues with historic works including lots of cement works probably saved us a few £££ in costs as we where able to get a good discount on the property using the listed building survey he undertook.
Home Heroes carried out a last minute level 3 Survey for me in Faversham to a very high standard. Nathan even called me up after a few emails to go over more details to make sure I understood exactly what it meant and how it effects the house we are buying. Thank you.
We appointed Nathan as our party wall surveyor for our home in Whitstable. It was a great decision - his work was fast and efficient and he dealt with a truly tricky situation for us given the tight timelines and our problematic neighbours!
Building Survey Very Friendly, Professional Service, Thanks Again
I was in a real hurry and I managed to get a homebuyer report within a week and Nathan called me the next day to go through any concerns as time was against me. I could not recommend more highly!
Nathan carried out my party wall process for my project from start to finish
Nathan carried out a home condition survey for me, everything was booked in easily, phoned after the survey had been emailed to give me a rundown of the main issues and see if I had any concerns
Nathan has been really useful in explaining the party wall act to us and going above and beyond to assist with some questions we had (including sharing relevant information and posts). Thank you!
A Good informative report was emailed to me very quickly.
Served the required party wall notices for me did a great job I would recommend.
Nathan gave me excellent advice on some party wall issues I was having for my new conservatory and my neighbour after speaking to them and serving the DIY notice he gave me I am now able to proceed with my works as my neighbour agreed to them.
