The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 provides a framework for preventing and resolving disputes in relation to party walls, boundary walls, and excavations near neighbouring buildings. At MM Building Surveyors, our surveyors act for both Building Owners and Adjoining Owners, fulfilling the statutory duties required to ensure that works proceed lawfully and safely. Our role is to provide the technical and procedural oversight necessary to protect the interests of all parties throughout the construction process.
The Act is a mandatory requirement for certain types of work, and failure to comply can lead to costly legal injunctions and project delays. By engaging MM Building Surveyors at the earliest stage of your project, you ensure that all statutory notices are served correctly and that a robust legal agreement—the Party Wall Award—is in place before any physical work commences.
Our Party Wall services deliver:
Statutory Compliance: Ensuring all procedures are followed in accordance with the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Risk Mitigation: Protecting both the Building Owner and the Adjoining Owner from damage and liability.
Professional Dispute Resolution: Acting as the impartial “Agreed Surveyor” or as a dedicated representative for one party.
Technical Accuracy: Providing forensic records of existing conditions to prevent future disagreements.
Our surveyors manage party wall instructions for residential and commercial projects throughout London, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and Buckinghamshire.
Party Wall matters are often intrinsically linked to other technical requirements. For example, if the proposed works involve Cladding and Fire Safety upgrades or significant Defect Diagnosis repairs on a boundary, the Act provides the legal access required to carry out the works safely.
Our party wall advice also informs Pre-Acquisition Building Surveys, where we identify potential boundary liabilities for a purchaser. For leasehold alterations, we ensure that Licences for Alterations correctly cross-reference the party wall obligations to protect the Freeholder’s wider estate.
Notices should typically be served at least one to two months before the planned start date of the works, depending on the type of work being undertaken. Early service is essential to avoid delays to your Contract Administration schedule.
In the vast majority of cases, the Building Owner (the person carrying out the works) is responsible for the professional fees of both their own surveyor and the surveyor appointed by the Adjoining Owner.
If damage is reported, we revisit the property to compare the current state against the original Schedule of Condition. If the works caused the damage, the Party Wall Award provides the mechanism for the Building Owner to either repair the damage or provide a financial settlement.
We would love to speak with you. Feel free to reach out using the below email or form.
office@mmbuildingsurveyors.co.uk
