The Party Wall etc Act 1996

We undertake all professional work under The Party Wall etc Act 1996. We accept appointments from either the Building Owner or the Adjoining Owner. We can also act for both owners jointly in certain cases. Most Party Wall matters end up with Party Wall Awards being prepared, with schedules of conditions being drawn up which are appended to the Awards.

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies throughout England and Wales.

The Act covers:

New Building works at or astride the boundary between two properties.

Structural work affecting an existing shared/party wall, including repairs, alterations, extending or reducing the wall, cutting into the wall and underpinning.

Excavating, or constructing foundations within three metres of a neighbour's building where the new foundations will go deeper than the neighbour's foundations.

Excavating, or constructing foundations within six metres of a neighbour's building where the new foundations will cut a line drawn downwards at 45 degrees from the bottom of the neighbour's foundations.

If you are the owner proposing to have the works carried out you must find out whether the works are governed by the Act. If so, you must serve statutory notice (one or two months depending upon the works) on the adjoining owners and get agreement from them to the works, before you start. We can prepare and serve the notices for you.

As a guide our fees are of the order of £650 - £1000 + VAT for preparing a Party Wall Award for the Building owner, and £450 - £700 + VAT for the Adjoining owner. Where we act for both Owners, the fee is as for the Building Owner but with an additional £200 + VAT

© Copyright 2002 Stuart Henley & Partners, All Rights Reserved.