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Welcome to Peter Barry’s blog posts. You’ll find a range of topics focussing on issues that are important to our clients where we try to answer the questions that we regularly get asked.

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Party Walls

Practice Changing Party Wall Case Law – Power & Kyson v Shah [2023]

Saturday, 23rd August 2025 | by: Peter Barry

This is part of our series on court judgements that significantly changed the way that surveyors administer the Act. The Background The owner of 34 Bull Lane, Dagenham RM10 7HA, Mr Shah (the ‘building owner’), commenced work at his property and those works are alleged to have caused damage to the adjoining property, 36 Bull Lane. The owners of the adjoining property, Mr and Mrs ...

This is part of our series on court judgements that significantly changed the way that surveyors administer the Act. The ...

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Party Wall Questions | Party Walls | Surveying

Are Foundations Getting Deeper? A Look at Modern Building Practice and Party Wall Implications

Monday, 28th July 2025 | by: Matthew Price

At Peter Barry Surveyors, we have to consider how the foundations of a client's kitchen extension interact with neighbouring ...

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Architecture | Surveying | Valuation

What the Public Really Thinks of Surveyors

Tuesday, 22nd July 2025 | by: Peter Barry

I recently stumbled across a discussion on social media about a man who bought a house in Melbourne and only found out that ...

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Licence to Alter

License to Alter options for Share of Freeholders

Wednesday, 25th June 2025 | by: Matthew Price

At Peter Barry Surveyors, we regularly hear from flat owners looking to carry out works at their property—typically ...

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Party Walls

Practice Changing Party Wall Case Law – Kaye v Lawrence (2010)

Monday, 16th June 2025 | by: Peter Barry

This is part of our series on court judgements that significantly changed the way that surveyors administer the Act. The ...

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Party Walls

Are the Old Party Wall Ways Always the Best?

Wednesday, 21st May 2025 | by: Peter Barry

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is a relatively thin document and provides limited guidance on the practicalities of how ...

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Party Walls

How Far Can Party Wall Surveyors Go To Protect Adjoining Owners (Part 2)?

Saturday, 19th April 2025 | by: Peter Barry

This is a follow up to a post I uploaded last week analysing the main concerns expressed by adjoining owners who have recently received a party wall notice and how far party wall surveyors can go in alleviating those concerns. It is well established that the role of a surveyor appointed under the Act is a quasi-judicial one and, like a judge, they must remain impartial when administering the ...

This is a follow up to a post I uploaded last week analysing the main concerns expressed by adjoining owners who have ...

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Party Walls

How Far Can Party Wall Surveyors Go to Protect Adjoining Owners?

Saturday, 12th April 2025 | by: Peter Barry

Section 7(1) of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is clear, adjoining owners and occupiers should not suffer unnecessary ...

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Party Walls

Boundaries and the Party Wall Act

Wednesday, 12th March 2025 | by: Peter Barry

While party wall surveyors do not have the jurisdiction to determine boundaries, we are sometimes required to authorise ...

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Party Walls

Practice Changing Party Wall Case Law – Evans v Paterson (2021)

Wednesday, 19th February 2025 | by: Peter Barry

This is part of our series on court judgements that significantly changed the way that surveyors administer the Act. The ...

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Michel Sfeir
Excellent service!

We booked a survey with Peter Barry Surveyors for the purchase of a home. Maianh was very quick to respond to our initial email and all follow up conversations. They also set us up with a pre-survey phone call with David Breeze (surveyor) who took the time to explain how the survey is conducted. They arranged access to the property directly with the realtor, and we received the report 4 working days later, after which we had another call with David to discuss the report and explained to us what the next steps were. We are now in the process of conducting the specialist surveys (with other companies) as per their recommendation.

Very helpful, very friendly, and professional.
Response from the owner:Thank you very much for your excellent review! We are delighted that you found our team to be helpful, friendly, and professional throughout the process, and I will certainly share your comments with Maianh and David. Thank you for choosing Peter Barry Surveyors!
B “bradz” M
I received an excellent service, with great communication, this company is fantasic, very helpful and highly recommended.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your recommendation.
lewis pemberton
Peter Barry just completed a party wall award for us in preparation for works on our property. They will fast, reliable and kept us in the loop throughout the process
Response from the owner:We appreciate your review Mr Pemberton, thank you.
Silvia Nacamulli
We used Peter Barry Chartered Surveyors for our Party Wall matters while carrying out structural works on our house. They were efficient, professional, and easy to communicate with. Amrita Johal was our main point of contact.
Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to share your experience, Silvia. We are thrilled to hear that you found our team at Peter Barry Chartered Surveyors efficient, professional, and easy to communicate with during your Party Wall matters. Amrita Johal will be delighted to hear your kind words. If you need any assistance in the future, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Steve Webb
I have just had a party wall agreement drawn up with my neighbour. James Merewether was the surveyor who assisted me. He was very helpful with advice and explained all the options over a phone call and email. He did not push for anything that I did not need he was very quick to responded. My neighbour and I have both got the outcome that we wanted and I would strongly recommend James and Peter Barry Charted Surveyors. 👍
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for sharing your positive experience, Steve. We are glad to hear that James provided you with helpful advice, respected your needs, and ensured that both you and your neighbour achieved the desired outcome. We appreciate your recommendation of James and Peter Barry Chartered Surveyors. If you require any further assistance in the future, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Samuel Foltin
I'm very happy with the service provided. Communication was great and they were quick to deliver the report. Would happily recommend.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your recommendation Mr Foltin.
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