Martin Ralph Chartered Surveyors

Party Wall Advice

Martin Ralph Chartered Surveyors are experienced in Party Wall Matters and can provide expert advice with regard to the implications of the Act regarding development proposals whether you are the Building Owner undertaking the work or the Adjoining Owner who may be concerned about building works being undertaken by your neighbour.

All Party Wall Surveyors at Martin Ralph are RICS Chartered Building Surveyors and members of the Pyramus and Thisbe club the organisation for professionals specialising in Party Wall Matters.

We will be pleased to provide free telephone advice to try and ascertain whether the works fall under the legislation and if so the appropriate action to take.  If necessary we can then proceed to act for you whether a building owner or adjoining owner and if both parties are in agreement we can act as joint surveyor thereby saving time and costs.

The Party Wall Act.
The Party Wall etc Act 1996 came into force on 1^st July 1997 throughout England and Wales and applies if a building owner intends to carry out building work which involves one of the following procedures:

*  Work on an existing wall or structure shared with another property.
*  Build a freestanding wall or other element or a wall of a building up to or astride the boundary with         a neighbouring building.
*  Excavating near a neighbouring building.

The building owner must find out whether the works fall within the act, and by law they must then formally notify all affected neighbours.  If the Building Owner proceeds with the work without notifying adjoining owners they may be able to seek to stop the work through a court injunction or seek other redress.

Minor WorksÂ
Minor works on a party wall are usually considered to be too trivial to warrant a party wall notice however the principal issue is whether the proposed works will have any consequences on the structural strength and supporting functions of the wall or whether the works will change the size or appearance of the wall.  It is therefore best to obtain the advice of an experienced Party Wall Surveyor as soon as possible.

Can my neighbour stop the works?
Providing the appropriate notices are correctly served the neighbour cannot stop someone exercising the Party Wall rights given by the act although they can influence how the work is undertaken.  In addition the Building Owner may have to provide compensation for any damage they cause and must provide temporary for buildings and property where necessary.

Phone or e-mail for advice

If you are in any doubt that the proposed works require action under the Party Wall Act then please contact Martin Ralph either by phone 02392 257711 or e-mail jim@martinralph.co.uk.