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.

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 there was an extensive model train network beneath the floor after he moved in. Writing an article around a tweet (technically a ‘skeet’) is a very MailOnline thing to do but a comment on the story by FT Associate Editor Stephen Bush triggered an interesting list of ...

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

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 works which interact with a boundary. We therefore need to have a good understanding of how boundaries are determined and an awareness of when disputes do and do not prevent us from completing the task that we were appointed to complete. Legal Boundaries Let’s start with ...

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

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 ...

Party Walls

Practice Changing Party Wall Case Law – Onigbanjo v Pearson (2008)

Monday, 13th January 2025 | by: Peter Barry

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

Party Walls

Practice Changing Party Wall Case Law – Introduction

Monday, 13th January 2025 | by: Peter Barry

Over the coming months we’ll be summarising some of the party wall cases that have been determined by the courts. When ...

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. 👍

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.

Mark Rubin

Efficient and professional service provided by Trina and Amrita when arranging a party wall agreement between ourselves and our neighbours prior to building works. Happy to recommend.

Response from the owner:We appreciate your recommendation, thank you.

Roger Randall

Steve Hobbs, chartered RICS surveyor, visited our property in East Finchley for a ‘red book’ Probate valuation. Everything went as planned and the report was produced within the stated timescale. The office staff were also very helpful. The prices was competitive. Thanks.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your feedback Mr Randall.