Party Walls Watford
At Oakfield Chartered Surveyors, our team of professional building surveyors offer a range of services and knowledge to help with any property-related issues, including party wall disputes.
As a property owner or renter, it’s important to understand both your rights and the laws you must abide by when it comes to party walls and the party wall act 1996. Luckily, if you are considering renovating your home in Watford, we have composed the ultimate guide covering all you need to know about party walls, rightful constructions, how disputes are handled and how our team of property surveyors can advise you.
What is a party wall?
A party wall is typically defined as a wall that is shared by two properties. For example, a wall that separates terraced or semi-detached houses.
However, it doesn’t necessarily have to be an actual wall. The term party wall refers to a structure as well so it could be a floor/ceiling between flats.
It also refers to boundaries between properties and foundation work within 3m of a neighbouring property structure.
If you believe your property is subject to a party wall agreement, it’s important to understand the rules surrounding this to ensure no unauthorised construction takes place.
What is a Party Wall Agreement?
If you’re undertaking renovations in Watford and are worried that your construction plans may impact the party wall, you need to make sure you have a Party Wall surveyors Agreement in place. This is a legal agreement made between you and your neighbours regarding any building work that will impact a shared wall, boundary, outbuilding or property structure. The Party Wall Agreement should be served up to two months before any work begins depending on the type of work you are undertaking.
What is included in a Party Wall Agreement?
The following works will require a Party Wall Agreement:
- Building new structures or walls on or at the boundary
- Carrying out work to a party structure or wall
- Knocking down and rebuilding a party wall
- Changing a party wall e.g. making it taller, shorter or deeper
- Removing chimney breasts from a party wall
- Digging below the foundation level onto a neighbour’s property
While you can draft your own agreement, it’s often best to get guidance from expert surveyors, like our team at Oakfield Chartered Surveyors. We’re on hand to help you with your Party Wall Agreements in Watford and can advise on what it needs to cover.
Party Walls Watford Hertfordshire
We are one of the leading Chartered Surveyors covering London, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire and regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Our team is dedicated to providing the highest quality building surveys.
Contact us to discuss your requirements further.
Do I need a Party Wall Agreement?
Do I need a Party Wall Agreement?
If you’re carrying out work on or near a party wall, then yes, you will need a party wall award. The only time you will not need a Party Wall Agreement is when you’re carrying out minor work to the party wall. This includes things like:
- Drilling into the wall to install shelves or kitchen units
- Having the wall plastered
- Replacing sockets or electrical wiring
What is The Party Wall Act?
The Party Wall Act (1996) is the legislation that protects the interest of neighbours who share a boundary. The act provides a clear framework for managing disputes that may arise when building work that is taking place on one property could impact the other.
Protecting both of the parties involved, The Party Wall Act ensures that neither party can make a decision about their shared wall or boundary without agreement from the other.
Tips for carrying out building work in Watford
If you are planning on undergoing building work in Watford that may impact your party wall, there are steps you can take to avoid a dispute with your neighbour. These are:
- Assess how the work could affect your neighbour – make sure that you note any risks and complications that could arise in the planning phase so you can put plans in place to prevent them.
- Communicate with your neighbours – try and keep your neighbours updated about the work and be honest with them from the start. If they can see you’ve done all you can to minimise the disruption to them, they are more likely to agree to the Party Wall Agreement.
- Give notice – you must give your neighbours at least two months’ notice when serving a Party Wall Agreement, but this doesn’t mean you can’t tell them about the work in advance of this. If they receive an agreement out of the blue, they might be more put out.
- Use a surveyor to make sure the agreement is suitable for both sides – sometimes a professional eye is what you need to make sure everything is being handled above the law and with respect.
How our surveyors can help
Watford Party Walls
We are one of the leading Chartered Surveyors covering London, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire and regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Our team is dedicated to providing the highest quality building surveying.
Contact us to discuss your requirements further.