Party Wall
Nidus Riley specialise in advising on all matters covered by The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 and generally in respect of construction matters affecting neighbours, whether this is in the context of commercial or residential situations.
Common examples of works that require the involvement a party wall surveyor include:
- Excavations within a 3m/6m distance from an adjoining property
- Basement excavations and underpinning works
- Cutting away from and into a Party Wall
- Construction of new wall astride or up to a boundary line
- Raising a party wall.
The legislation provides the owners of property with certain rights and obligations to neighbours in respect of party walls and other structures adjacent to boundaries. Where disputes arise, surveyors are appointed to resolve the disputes.
We are regularly appointed by developers undertaking construction work and by neighbours who are adjacent to developments where the work is covered by party wall legislation. In such cases, we seek to maximise the rights which the legislation grants and where appointed by neighbours, we seek to ensure that their interests are appropriately safeguarded.
As specialists with extensive experience in applying the legislation, we aim to be proactive and to provide timely strategic advice at an early stage to minimise the risks for all parties involved.
We are appointed on all sizes of projects, on a nationwide basis, and offer a free desktop assessment and initial advice where sufficient information can be provided of the proposed works.
In the last three years we have advised on/negotiated over 250 neighbourly matters.
Schedules of Condition
Schedules of condition record the condition of relevant parts of an adjoining property prior to commencement of notifiable works which in turn, provide a useful datum point for all parties in determining any damage caused upon completion of such works.
We are regularly instructed to record precautionary schedules of condition where party wall legislation does not apply, but there is a risk of damage from the construction process. In our experience, we find that this is reassuring for adjoining owners and certainly assists in resolving any future damage claims that may arise.
Access Licences
We also regularly negotiate access licences onto neighbouring properties, where access is required to complete a development and not granted under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. This may be for placing scaffold on a neighbour’s land or a crane over sailing licence.