Consent or Dissent: What Happens After a Party Wall Notice?

When building work could affect a shared wall or a neighbour’s property, the law requires the building owner to serve a party wall notice. This formal document gives the neighbour a chance to agree or disagree with the proposed work, and their response determines what happens next. Whether they consent, dissent and use an agreed […]
The Party Wall Process: What You Need to Know

Have you received a ‘Party Wall’ letter through your door? Sadly, it’s not a party invite, and there’s no cake on offer. It’s a bit more boring, but much more important.Whether you’re a homeowner planning to extend your kitchen or a neighbour worried about next door’s loft conversion, understanding the party wall process can save […]
How To Handle Party Wall Disputes

Do you get on with your neighbours? Do you talk to them regularly, or just nod and smile when you see them in the driveway? It doesn’t matter how well you know them or how friendly you are, it’s all too easy to end up in a heated dispute about bricks, boundaries and building works. […]
What Is A Party Wall Award?

As surveyors, we often get enquiries from building owners saying, ‘I need a party wall agreement, can you help?’ The answer to that is yes! But first, let’s clarify a few things. Surveyors are the ones who prepare that ‘agreement’, which is formally known as a Party Wall Award. A single surveyor can prepare it […]
Appointing a Party Wall Surveyor: What You Need To Know

You’re planning a building project, and it’s all going well. Or maybe your neighbour is sharing their extension plans with you, and you’re happily nodding along and asking questions. When the term ‘party wall surveyor’ is thrown into the mix. You pause. Do you actually need one? When should you hire one? And what does […]
How to Avoid Party Wall Issues During Building Work

Whether you’re building an extension, converting your loft or doing structural alterations, you need to understand your obligations under the Party Wall etc Act 1996. It’s one of those areas that can quietly derail your project if you’re not properly prepared. A lot of homeowners don’t realise just how long the party wall process can […]
Planning an extension under the Party Wall Act

Our specialist Party Wall team of chartered surveyors at Southampton-based Harrison Clarke helps clients with Party Wall matters every day. In this article, we briefly explain what the Party Wall Act is, why it is needed, how it affects you when you are planning an extension, what your responsibilities are and why it is important […]
Notifiable Works – Party Wall Notice

We talk a lot about the Party Wall Act, and when building owners need to provide notice to their neighbours under this slightly complex legislation. But it’s not the easiest of things to understand, which means many people still aren’t sure what notifiable works actually are, let alone when the notices need to be given. […]
Party Wall Costs Explained

When you’re planning out works on your home, one of the big things you’ll want to know is how much it will cost. After all, building works are expensive, and you want to make sure that you aren’t going over your budget. But there are all sorts of places where hidden costs can sneak in, […]
Party Wall Access Arrangements

When you’re carrying out building work on your property, there are likely times when you need access to areas that are usually out of reach. Most commonly, access that’s on your neighbour’s land to erect scaffolding. There’s a lot of confusion around access to a neighbour’s property when it comes to the notifiable works under […]