Internal Works
The Party Wall etc Act 1996 authorises procedures for internal projects that require Party Wall arrangements when building works need to be carried out.
Chimney Breast Removal
The process of removing a party wall chimney breast and adding structural supports to hold up the above chimney stack is covered by the Party Wall Act.
Removing Walls tied into the Party Wall
The removal of internal non-loadbearing walls tied into party walls for open plan room design are relevant to the Party Wall Act.
Internal Excavations
Basement creation will often require ground beams or pad foundations according to project requirements. The Party Wall etc Act 1996 provides coverage for excavations which occur with these installations.
Loft Conversions
Loft Conversions represent among the most frequently conducted construction works in party wall.
To perform a loft conversion, the Party Wall Act demands two key steps which start with exposing the Party Wall by removing the roof covering and then cutting into the Party Wall for support beam insertion.
Extensions
The Party Wall etc Act 1996 applies to front, rear, and side extensions as one of the primary classes of construction projects needing to follow Party Wall procedures.
Extending a residential property necessitates excavations deeper than the original foundations, which requires notice.
Building the new flank wall extension up to or astride the boundary line also requires notice.
Basement Conversions
Many homeowners now choose basement extensions in order to create additional rooms within limited available living space, particularly in Central London.
The Party Wall etc Act 1996 regulates basement conversions which need proper Party Wall procedures to be completed.
Deep excavations together with underpinning operations must comply with the requirements of the Act when creating a basement. The underpinning procedure to existing party walls together with adjoining walls that will be used for proposed works will also come under this regulation.
New Walls
New wall construction, often for home extensions, is managed through two specific provisions under the Party Wall etc Act 1996:
- A new wall which serves as a flanking boundary built astride the legal boundary, which requires permission from the adjoining owner.
- A new wall up to the boundary but not crossing it, which does not require permission from the adjoining owner.
Both types of wall, however, require the service of Party Wall Notices under the Act.
Other Works
There are other types of work under the Act which may not be always understood to be within this jurisdiction. The following works come under the Party Wall etc Act 1996, although others may apply as well:
Changing Roof Coverings
Building owners need to update roof coverings when existing tiles expire. The removal of old tiles will reveal the party wall to which the Act applies, thereby making the work fall under the Party Wall Act 1996 requirements.
Demolishing a Party Wall Structure
The Party Wall Act determines that construction activities involving removal or destruction of structures which attach to the Party Wall will need notification.
Therefore, the removal of any outhouse together with extensions or storage buildings may qualify as notifiable work under the Act.
Removing a Chimney Stack
Any party wall works that entail full or partial chimney stack removal must follow the notice requirements under the Party Wall Act. This is because it involves the exposure, cutting away of, or removal of party structures.
After chimney stack removal, the remaining portion of the stack needs to be uncovered together with the roofing material of the adjoining structure. Stack removal as a whole process requires authorisation from the adjoining owner.
Do I need a Party Wall Notice?
This will depend on the different construction scenarios and the notifiable works therein. If you are excavating near a neighbouring property, cutting into a party wall or building a wall close to the legal boundary, then you will probably need to follow Party Wall Act procedures.
Works on a Party Wall
If there will be direct changes to the party wall, the building owner needs to issue the London Party Wall Notice to the adjacent owner at least two months before planned work begins.
Works on a Party Fence Wall
Before starting planned construction work on Party Fence Walls, the building owner needs to notify the adjoining owner through a Party Wall Notice at least two months in advance of work starting.
The Party Fence wall combines ownership of two parties where they hold equal shares of the wall. Construction works on timber fences (even with concrete columns) do not come under the provisions of the Party Wall etc Act 1996. A Party Fence Wall needs to be of entirely masonry construction.
Works on a Party Structure
Construction projects involving Party Structures require the building owner to distribute a Party Wall Notice to adjoining owners at least 2 months before starting. A Party Structure represents the partitioned building area linking flats and maisonettes, usually floors or ceilings.
Excavations within 3 metres
A building owner must provide a Party Wall Notice to the adjoining owner at least 1 month before starting excavation works around structures located within 3 meters of each other. This applies only if excavations extend below neighbouring foundation levels according to the requirements of the Party Wall Act.
Excavations within 6 metres
The building owner needs to provide a Party Wall Notice to the adjoining owner through a process that starts one month prior to beginning the planned works when deep excavation or digging occurs near a neighbouring structure within 6 metres and where a 45 degree angle intersects. This will apply in cases of piled foundations or deep basement works.
FAQs on Types of Party Wall Works
What if party wall damage happens?
The first stage of action would be to prove that newly discovered damage occurred due to construction works performed by the building owner.
Your commercial or residential Party Wall Surveyor London expert submits a damage assessment often by reviewing the Schedule of Condition to compare the before and after state of the property.
Adjoining Owners affected by Building Owner construction works can request contractor repair of the damage or monetary compensation to hire their own repair contractor.
Is access allowed in party wall procedure?
Building owners have the right under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 to obtain legal access permission to their neighbouring property land, but they ordinarily need to serve notice under section 8. A building owner can therefore gain physical access to adjoining land according to the Act conditions.
Do party wall surveyors have a qualification?
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 has no official requirements for qualifications among Party Wall Surveyors London inspectors, even though many possess different types.
Since only building owners and adjoining owners can not call themselves London Party Wall Surveyors, technically anyone else can provide this service.
Appointing a commercial or residential Party Wall Surveyor London expert with experience and qualification stands as recommended practice, however. Our panel of Party Wall Surveyors are experienced, hold qualifications from respected universities and/or accreditation under regulatory bodies such as RICS, CIOB, RPSA or FPWS.
Contact us for experienced, qualified and/or chartered surveyors to discuss the specific types of Party Wall works and related matters.
