Party Wall

[simonw247]

Hi

I'm new to this forum and this may have been asked before, so apologies!

I'm doing a wrap-around extension and will be building two walls astride the boundaries of my neighbours each side. I know my neighbours well and we get on very well and I've sat down and gone through the plans with them and they are fully supportive of our plans as they'd both like to building into the walls later on.

I know I need to notify them under the party wall acts, but I cannot seem to find a straight answer to the below.

From what I understand, I will need to serve a notice to both neighbours individually. I can download a standard letter format and will make sure I provide all necessary plans / drawings. Once they've received the notices, If they both consent then I understand that I can put the wheels in motion and that I do not need to appoint a surveyor.

Can anyone confirm if this is correct, or do I have to appoint a surveyor regardless? I really struggle to understand why I need to pay for 2x surveys at £1000 a pop if the neighbours are in full agreement and we take measures to record the condition of their property before works start, but I appreciate that there will be many horror stories where things have gone wrong, where people have fallen out with neighbours.

Look forward to hearing people's experiences / opinions!

 

[^woody^]

Yes that is correct.

You will also need to detail this on the planning application and serve the necessary notices.

 

[GeoffJ]

There are many horror stories. Some of these include situations where neighbours have been friends for many many years, supporting each other through personal tragedies and all fully agree to the development.

When building works occur, long term relationships can get stretched. Whilst you can take photo's of the the existing condition and agree verbally to make good any damage, the PWA process can help when things go wrong. For example

• There was some pre-existing damage in the area of damage - should the neighbour subsidise the repair cost because of the pre-existing damage?
• Damage and repair to a small area may be acceptable. But a small patch of new paint may look strange and the whole room or house needs to be painted
• If it is your builder that is at fault and therefore liable for the damage to the neighbour's property (likely to be the case). The surveyor's reports and his services will be useful in enabling you to resolve the matter with the builder - claiming from the builder and/or his insurance for the costs.

The PWA makes provision for co-operating parties and this reduces the costs a great deal. You can agree to assign the same surveyor. The surveyor then takes on the role of an expert and neutral party advising you all individually.

That said - many developments go forward with no reference to the PWA whatsoever. Many developers go out of their way to avoid the PWA (I wonder why)?

Geoff