Homepage discover the thought of coping with party wall issues a daunting prospect. The Party Wall Etc Act has many connotations, so it's no surprise a large number of people have difficulties with it.
Things can become even more convoluted in major cities like London, which have many period properties and buildings in close proximity to each other. It is vital that these issues are dealt with properly.
Explaining the Party Wall etc Act 1996
The Act provides rights and responsibilities whichever side of the 'wall' you are on. For the party carrying out the task the Act offers rights not afforded by common law, such as for example access onto the neighbours land to carry out some or all the proposed works, or provide temporary works (e.g. scaffolding) during the works.
It is important to understand the Act whether it's you or your neighbour who proposes to carry out work on shared or close by structures. The Act covers work on structures such as for example shared walls, floors/ceilings of flats, garden walls, and excavations near a neighbouring property.
The general principle of the Act is that all work which might have an impact upon the structural strength or support function of a celebration wall or might cause damage to the neighbouring side of the wall must be notified.
Some of work covered by the Act is listed below:
Demolishing and/or rebuilding a celebration wall.
Increasing the height or thickness of a PW
Cutting in to the PW to take load bearing beams.
Underpinning a PW.
Excavations within 3 metres of a neighbouring building where the excavation will go below the bottom of the foundations of the neighbouring building.
Excavations within 6 metres of a neighbouring building where in fact the excavation will go below a line drawn 45� downwards from the bottom of the foundations of the neighbouring building.
Work that is not covered by the Act includes putting up shelves and wall units, replastering and electrical rewiring.
If your planned focus on a preexisting structure falls beneath the Act, you need to then issue a notice to all affected neighbouring parties. The neighbouring parties must then decide whether they wish to dispute the notice or not.
Much like all work affecting neighbours, it will always be better to reach an agreeable agreement. Even where in fact the work takes a notice to be served, it is best to informally discuss the intended work, think about the neighbours comments, and when practical amend your plans accordingly.