If you’re planning to undertake construction work 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.
If you’re planning on carrying out any building work on your property that affects a shared wall in Milton Keynes, then it’s important to know your rights and responsibilities under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. One of the most important obligations is to serve a Party Wall notice to your adjoining neighbours.
But how long in advance should you serve this notice? The answer is not always straightforward and can depend on a variety of factors. In this article, we’ll explore the timeline for serving a Party Wall notice and the factors that can affect it.
A Party Wall notice is a written document that you, as the building owner, must serve to any adjoining owners that will be affected by your building work in Milton Keynes. The notice must include the following information:
The purpose of the notice is to inform your neighbours of your intentions and give them the opportunity to agree or dissent to the proposed work. If your neighbour dissents, then you will need to appoint Party Wall surveyors to agree on the terms of the Party Wall Award.
According to the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, you must serve a Party Wall notice at least two months before you intend to start the building work. However, this is only a minimum requirement, and you may need to serve the notice further in advance depending on the complexity of the work and the response time of your neighbours.
In general, it’s a good idea to serve the notice as soon as possible to give your neighbours ample time to respond. If you’re carrying out minor works, such as adding shelves or re-plastering a wall, then two months may be sufficient. However, if you’re carrying out major works, such as building an extension or carrying out excavation near a neighbouring property, then you should aim to serve the notice at least six months in advance.
There are several factors that can affect the timeline for serving a Party Wall notice, including:
Serving a Party Wall notice is an important obligation for any building owner carrying out work that affects a shared wall in Milton Keynes. While the minimum notice period is two months, it’s always best to serve the notice as early as possible to give your neighbours ample time to respond. If you’re unsure about the timeline for serving a Party Wall notice, then contact a Party Wall surveyor for advice. Faulkners, based in Milton Keynes, can provide expert guidance on all Party Wall matters.
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