The Party Wall etc. Act 1996

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The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is a framework for preventing and resolving disputes about party walls, boundary walls, fences and excavations near neighbouring properties.

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If you wish to carry out works to a party wall as defined by the Act you must inform all owners by serving a formal Notice.

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Works to a party wall may include the following:

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• Cutting into a wall to take the bearing of a beam, for example for a loft conversion.

• Raising the height of the party wall.

• Demolishing or rebuilding the party wall.

• Underpinning the whole thickness of the party wall.

• Removing a chimney built into the party wall.

• Carrying out excavations for new foundations within 3m or 6m of a boundary or party wall.

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The Party Wall Act gives your neighbours a chance to consider the impact of your works and enter into an agreement in the form of a Party Wall Award.

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This sets out what is being done and includes a Schedule of Condition so that it is easy to determine if the works have had an impact.

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We have Members of the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors in both our Tunbridge Wells and Dorking office who would be very happy to explain the process of appointing a Party Wall Surveyor.

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