If you’re planning to undertake construction work in Stroud on a shared boundary with your neighbour, you might need a party wall agreement.
It’s a legal document that outlines the responsibilities and rights of both parties involved in the construction process.
Technically, building work can start before the Party Wall Award is finalized – it is not recommended you do this. However, this is subject to certain conditions and requirements under the Party Wall Act. These are not limited too but can include:
Before starting any building work, the building owner must serve a Party Wall Notice to their adjoining owner, outlining the scope of the work and the proposed start date. The adjoining owner then has 14 days to respond to the notice.
Agreeing on the Party Wall Award
If the adjoining owner does not respond to the Party Wall Notice or does not agree with the proposed work, the building owner and adjoining owner must appoint Party Wall Surveyors to prepare a Party Wall Award. The Party Wall Surveyors will then set out the rights and obligations of the building owner and adjoining owner in the Party Wall Award.
Providing Notice Period
Once the Party Wall Award is finalized, the building owner must provide notice to the adjoining owner of the start date for the construction work. The notice period must be at least two weeks before the start date of the work.
Advantages of Complying with the Party Wall Act
While it may be tempting to start building work before the Party Wall Award is finalized, there are several advantages to complying with the Party Wall Act, including:
Avoiding Disputes
Complying with the Party Wall Act can help avoid disputes and misunderstandings between the building owner and adjoining owner, ensuring a smooth construction process.
Protecting Your Interests
Complying with the Party Wall Act ensures that your interests are protected and any potential damage to your property is addressed.
Complying with the Law
Complying with the Party Wall Act ensures that all parties involved comply with the law and any legal requirements, avoiding any potential legal issues in the future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while building work can technically start before the Party Wall Award is finalized, it is subject to certain conditions and requirements under the Party Wall Act.
At Faulkners, located in Stroud, our experienced Party Wall Surveyors can assist you in navigating the legal process of the Party Wall Act, protecting your interests, and ensuring that all parties involved comply with the law.
If you have a party wall issue book in now with an agreed surveyor to discuss said party wall etc. We can offer extensive experience with our RICS chartered surveyor for a party wall etc and offer years experience for home survey and party wall matters.
We are proud to cover the UK Wales & England Tewkesbury, Dursley, Stonehouse, Ritter, Rate, Gloucestershire, Gloucester, Cirencester, Bristol, Cheltenham, and Chippenham.
If you are doing work on a residential property such as a loft conversion, chimney breast or excavation you will need a independent chartered surveyors like ourselves at Faulkners. We can offer party wall advice, schedule of condition, rics homebuyer reports and RICS building surveys through to valuations and survey for line of junction.
It provides a clear and structured procedure for notifying neighbours and resolving disputes, reducing the risk of damage to neighbouring properties and avoiding disputes between property owners.
If you are planning construction work that may affect a shared boundary, it’s essential to know about the Party Wall Act and to seek professional advice.
Contact Faulkners Party Wall Surveyor Stroud for expert guidance on the Party Wall Act and all aspects of property surveying.
Party wall agreements
Local party wall surveyor
Party wall notice
Party wall disputes
Site links