Latest blog posts

Being legal documents, party wall notices must be ‘served’ and the acceptable methods of service are set out is section 15 of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Service by Hand Sometimes our clients prefer to hand deliver their party wall notices as it gives them an opportunity to add a personal touch to the legal process. However, the Act ... Read more >>

Back in the middle of 2017, Taylor Wimpey amongst a few others, received blanket bad press for their involvement in the selling of leasehold houses, which included very aggressive ground rents. Headlines such as “£9,000 per year Ground Rent” and “Newlyweds unable to sell home due to legal catch that sees ground rent DOUBLE every decade” ... Read more >>

I have previously written about the option of an adjoining owner applying for an injunction where their neighbour has commenced work covered by the Party Wall Act without serving notice. However, the costs of obtaining an injunction can be significant, may not be recoverable in full and such would only be justified where there is a real danger to ... Read more >>

Imagine having a job from which you cannot be dismissed - that must be the dream of many people. Well, that is exactly the position that appointed party wall surveyors find themselves in. Section 10(2) of the Act confirms that 'All appointments and selections made under this section shall be in writing and shall not be rescinded by either party". ... Read more >>

The Leasehold Reform and Urban Development Act, 1993, establishes the valuation basis and legal framework for leaseholders to extend their lease (as well as enfranchise). The most common way to enact the Act, is to serve a Section 42 notice with the help of a specialist solicitor, but this does come with a raft of stipulations and costs, and is a ... Read more >>

At the time of writing the UK has just experienced the hottest Summer Solstice on record and the hottest June day in 40 years. Those of us sat inside are no doubt struggling to concentrate let alone write an interesting blog post relating to architecture! Most of you will no doubt be questioning this post in agreement that there is no such thing ... Read more >>

The Brief Our clients had recently bought a mid-terrace 19th Century 4 bedroom 4 storey property in SW6 London. They had picked the property on the basis that is had great potential for development, highlighting their desire to re-develop the existing rear addition and explore the idea of splitting the property into 2 x 2 bedroom flats. The ... Read more >>