The Party Wall etc. Act 1996

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 (“the Act”) provides a framework for preventing or resolving disputes relating to party walls, party structures, boundary walls, and excavations near neighbouring buildings.

The Party Wall etc Act 1996 puts in place steps to safeguard the rights of those undertaking certain types of building work and the rights of their adjoining neighbours. The Party Wall Act works to protect the owner undertaking the works through the party wall surveyors, by ensuring that the work is lawful, whilst also protecting their neighbours’ rights in the event of damage occurring.

The Party Wall Act defines and affirms the rights of a person, referred to as Building Owner, wishing to cut into a party wall or to excavate new foundations within 3 metres of an adjoining structure. The neighbour that either shared ownership of the party wall or are within 3 metres of the new extension is referred to as Adjoining Owner. Both parties may appoint a party wall surveyor if the building work is subject to the Party Wall Act.

The works covered by the Act include:
• Various work to an existing party structure (Wall/house)
• New building at or astride the boundary line between properties
• Excavation within 3 or 6 metres of a neighbouring property depending on the depth.

We are regulated by the RICS which means all our work is to the highest standards.