Faulkners Surveyors Crowborough

If you’re planning to remove a chimney breast in your home, you may be wondering if you need a party wall agreement. In short, the answer is yes. Party wall agreements are required when carrying out certain types of building work that could affect a shared wall, such as a party wall.

DO YOU NEED A PARTY WALL AGREEMENT IN ?crowborough

In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the topic of party wall agreements and explain why they’re necessary when removing a chimney breast. We’ll also discuss the steps you need to take to obtain a party wall agreement and the consequences of not doing so.

What is a Party Wall Agreement?

A party wall agreement is necessary when you’re planning to carry out building work that could affect a shared wall, such as a party wall. This is because the work you’re planning to do could potentially damage the wall, which would affect both you and your neighbor.

When it comes to removing a chimney breast, the work involved can include structural alterations, such as removing a load-bearing wall. This can have an impact on the structural integrity of the property and may require additional support to be added to the remaining structure.

If the chimney breast is shared with your neighbor, a party wall agreement is necessary to ensure that the work can be carried out safely and without causing any damage to the shared wall.

Do You Need a Party Wall Agreement?

Obtaining a party wall agreement for chimney breast removal involves following a specific process. The first step is to serve a party wall notice on your neighbor, informing them of your intentions to remove the chimney breast and requesting their agreement to the proposed work.

Your neighbor has 14 days to respond to the notice. If they agree to the work, you can move forward with the removal process. However, if they do not agree or do not respond within the specified time frame, a party wall surveyor may need to be appointed to draw up a party wall award, which sets out the rights and obligations of both parties.

Consequences of not obtaining a party wall agreement

Failing to obtain a party wall agreement before removing a chimney breast can have serious consequences. If you carry out the work without a party wall agreement and cause damage to the shared wall, you could be held liable for the cost of the repairs.

In addition, your neighbor could take legal action against you, which could result in an injunction to stop the work or a claim for damages.

Conclusion

Removing a chimney breast can be a complex process, and it’s important to understand the legal requirements involved. If you’re planning to remove a chimney breast that’s shared with your neighbor, obtaining a party wall agreement is necessary to ensure that the work can be carried out safely and without causing any damage to the shared wall.

By following the steps outlined in this article, you can obtain a party wall agreement for chimney breast removal and avoid the potential legal and financial consequences of failing to do so.