What Is a Party Wall Surveyor And Do I Need One?
A party wall surveyor is a professional who specialises in resolving disputes between neighbours over party walls, boundary walls, and excavations near neighbouring buildings.
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 (PWA) gives neighbours certain rights and responsibilities when work is being carried out on a party wall or boundary wall, or when excavations are being carried out within three or six meters of a neighbouring building. If you are planning to carry out work that falls under the PWA, you must serve notice on your neighbours at least two months before the work is due to start. Your neighbours have 14 days to respond to your notice. If they do not agree to the work, you may need to appoint a party wall surveyor to help resolve the dispute.
There are two types of party wall surveyors: agreed surveyors and nominated surveyors. An agreed surveyor is someone who is appointed by both parties to the dispute. If you and your neighbour can agree on an agreed surveyor, this is the best option as it will save time and money. If you cannot agree on an agreed surveyor, each party will need to appoint their own nominated surveyor. The two nominated surveyors will then appoint a third surveyor to act as the arbitrator. The arbitrator will make a decision on the dispute, which is binding on both parties.
There are a number of reasons why you might need to appoint a party wall surveyor. For example, you may need them to:
Advise you on whether your proposed work falls under the PWA
Serve notice on your neighbours
Negotiate with your neighbours on the terms of the work
Prepare a party wall award
Inspect the work during construction
Resolve any disputes that arise during construction
If you are considering carrying out work that falls under the PWA, it is advisable to speak to a party wall surveyor to find out more about your rights and responsibilities.
Here are some of the benefits of appointing a party wall surveyor:
They can help you to resolve disputes with your neighbours
They can advise you on the best way to carry out the work
They can ensure that the work is carried out safely and to a high standard
They can protect your interests throughout the process
If you are unsure whether you need to appoint a party wall surveyor, it is always best to err on the side of caution and seek professional advice.
You can get in touch with us if you need help with your building project.
