LATEST BLOG POSTS

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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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Harry Haskew
I had a RICS level 2 survey carried out recently and had a good experience. They communicated effectively and got me the report within a couple days of the survey. It was detailed and highlighted a couple of issues I wasn’t aware of, so well worth doing.
Ben Morgan
Excellent firm for party wall surveys. After a bit of sleuthing I chose Peter Barry as they have a good reputation for avoiding the kind of conflicts that can escalate fees needlessly. That certainly proved true of my very level-headed and helpful surveyor James Merewether. Highly recommended.
Elizabeth
Shaun Blake who was my surveyor was professional, friendly and knowledgeable. He took time to examine my property and produce a very detailed and informative report. I will definitely use 'Peter Barry ' in future and will have no problem recommending the company to others.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Elizabeth, for your kind words. We're delighted Shaun provided a professional, friendly, and thorough service. We look forward to assisting you again and appreciate your recommendation of Peter Barry Surveyors.
Marie Cardy
Had a Level 2 survey carried out recently, excellent service, clear and concise report delivered on time. Great service from start to finish from our first point contact Joanne to the surveyor Justin. Happily recommend.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and recommendation. We're delighted to hear you received excellent service from Joanne and Justin, and that the report met your expectations. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to assisting you again in the future.
Jordan Campbell
Fantastic company, very professional and provided an excellent service for my help to buy property valuation.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your review. We're delighted to hear you found our service professional and helpful for your property valuation. We look forward to assisting you again in the future.
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!
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