The Party Wall etc Act gives certain rights to owners with a wall that stand on the land of two different owners, usually reffered to as a party wall or party structure

The Party Wall etc Act allows owners to cut into a party wall, raise a party wall, remove projections from a party wall and carry out other ancillary works, subject to serving notices on the opposite neighbour, usually referred to as the Adjoining Owner.

Party Wall Matters - Building Owner

Under the Act, the owner wishing to carry out works to a party wall, is usually referred to as the Building Owner. Works to a party wall require the building owner to provide at least two months minimum notice prior to any works starting on the wall. Base Building Consultancy can act as Building Owner's Surveyor and prepare relevant Notices under the Act. Once formal Notices have been prepared and served Hutton Associates can continue with formal negotiations in order to agree and publish a formal Party Wall Award. Works may then start to the party wall.

Party Wall Matters - Adjoining Owner

Under the Act, the neighbouring owner is usually referred to as the Adjoining Owner. Hutton Associates can act on your behalf if you have been served with a Notice under the Act. If a Notice has been served, you have 14 days to respond agreeing to the proposed works to the wall, usually referred to consenting to the works. If after the 14 day period, you have not responded and confirmed your agreement of the works proceeding, under the Act you will be deemed to have disagreed ('dissented') to the works and you will be required to appoint a surveyor to negotiate your disagreement. Usually, but not always, the building owner, will be required to pay for your reasonable surveyors costs in relation to party wall matters only.

Party Wall Matters - 'etc '

The 'etc' in the title of the Party Wall etc Act 1996, also refers to certain works within close proximity of another property. Notices are required also to be served if excavation works are to be carried out within 3 metres of an adjacent property and in some cases within 6 metres of adjacent property. The Act also recognises that boundary walls, and party fence walls are structures that should be dealt with by the same legislation and notices may be required if you are proposing to carry out works to these walls. 

The Act is not designed to prevent works but rather look after the interests of both the adjoining owner and the building owner. Hutton Associates can advise you of your obligations and serve notices on your behalf if required.