WHEN DOES THE PARTY WALL ACT APPLY?
Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, you need to notify adjoining owners when building works may affect a shared wall or boundary.
You’ll likely need a party wall surveyor if your work involves:
- Modifying a shared wall or structure (e.g. chimney removal, loft extension)
- Excavating within 3 metres of another building
- Building up to or astride a boundary
The Act ensures that both building and adjoining owners are protected when structural works take place. We help both sides handle disputes smoothly and impartially.
CONTACT US
If you require free advice or a quote in relation to a residential surveying matter in North West London please contact us today.
Why Camden Property Owners Choose Us
If you’re a building owner planning work and want to notify your neighbours, appointing a qualified RICS surveyor like Peter Barry can help avoid misunderstandings and save thousands in unexpected costs. If a notice results in a dispute, a surveyor can then be formally appointed to act on your behalf.
We can:
- Prepare clear and compliant notices
- Help reduce the likelihood of disputes
- Recommend and arrange a Schedule of Condition
- Act impartially to protect all parties if a dispute arises
In Camden’s older homes, even small works can lead to structural movement, which is why it’s a good idea to hire an expert party wall surveyor early on in the process.
Worried About a Party Wall Notice You’ve Received in Camden?
As an adjoining owner, if you’ve received notice of work from your neighbour, you have three options:
- Consent to the works
- Dissent and share a surveyor with your neighbour
- Dissent and appoint your own surveyor (paid by the building owner)
We’ll guide you through the process and ensure your interests are protected.
Our Other Services in North West London
CONTACT US
If you require free advice or a quote in relation to a residential surveying matter in North West London please contact us today.
OUR NORTH WEST LONDON OFFICE
We operate across North West London, including Camden, from out local office in Hendon. Use the map below to find us or get directions.
YOUR LOCAL PETER BARRY OFFICE
Churchill House,137-139 Brent Street,
Hendon,
London,
NW4 4DJ
Telephone: 020 8629 5942
Email: surveying@peterbarry.co.uk
AREAS WE COVER IN NORTH WEST LONDON
We cover the north-west of London from our office at Churchill House, 137-139 Brent Street, Hendon including the areas noted below.
- Camden Town NW1
- Regents Park NW1
- Cricklewood NW2
- Dollis Hill NW2
- Neasden NW2
- Belsize Park NW3
- Hampstead NW3
- Primrose Hill NW3
- Swiss Cottage NW3
- Hendon NW4
- Dartmouth Park NW5
- Gospel Oak NW5
- Kentish Town NW5
- Brondesbury NW6
- Kilburn NW6
- South Hampstead NW6
- West Hampstead NW6
- Highwood Hill NW7
- Mill Hill NW7
- Lisson Grove NW8
- St Johns Wood NW8
- Colindale NW9
- Kingsbury NW9
- West Hendon NW9
- Harlesden NW10
- Kensal Green NW10
- Park Royal NW10
- Willesden NW10
- Golders Green NW11
- Temple Fortune NW11
We also cover the entire M25 area from our network of London offices.
Party Wall Frequently Asked Questions
Why Camden Clients Trust Peter Barry?
– Trusted for party wall matters in North West London for 40+ years
– RICS-regulated experts in older and period buildings
– Straightforward advice and fast response times
– Transparent fees and practical guidance
What is a Party Wall?
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 came into force on 1st July 1997 and is now enshrined in English law. It stipulates the rights and responsibilities that must be observed for anyone planning to work falling within its scope. Read more about the Act here.
What is a Party Wall Agreement?
For surveyors who undertake this form of work day in day out, it can be easy to assume that there is good general understanding as to what a party wall award includes and entails. That assumption is regularly proven wrong when our team is speaking to potential clients and detailing the 3 response options to the notices. Learn about party wall agreements here.
When Do You Need a Party Wall Agreement?
Completing the party wall awards is often the last part of the jigsaw required to allow work to commence on site and the process which leads up to that point can be delayed for any number of reasons; from technical queries relating to the proposed works to the appointed surveyors’ holiday arrangements. It’s therefore advisable to get started as soon as possible but when is the perfect time to start the process by serving notice?
Can Neighbours Refuse Party Wall Agreement?
It is not uncommon to discover that your neighbour has gone ahead with building works that technically fall under party wall legislation. Indeed, at Peter Barry Surveyors, we are used to getting two or three phone calls a week from Adjoining Owners whose neighbours are carrying out qualifying works without having served notice as legally required by the Party Wall Act. Click here to learn what to do when your neighbour ignores the Party Wall Act.
