Party Wall Advice for Owners of Properties in Harpenden
Peter Barry Surveyors are here to guide you through the party wall process if you are considering extending or altering your Harpenden property. We like to work closely with owners to avoid unnecessary disputes and secure the best outcome. Where the works are straightforward, a detailed record of the condition of the adjoining property may be all that is required.
The process starts with the party proposing to undertake works falling within the scope of the Act formally notifying any affected adjoining owners. Those works will include anything that directly affects the party wall such as removing internal walls and cutting pockets to allow for the insertion of beams as well as new walls constructed at the boundary and excavation within up to 6.00m of adjoining or shared structures.
Our team of experienced party wall surveyors can assist with the service of notices and can act as an impartial appointed surveyor should a dispute arise.
Contact Us
If you planning to undertake work falling within the scope of the Act or have received a party wall notice please call for some free advice or drop us an email.
Our Party Wall Services
PARTY WALL PROCEDURES
Read more about party wall procedures including what works fall within the scope of the Act, the procedures to be followed and how our team of experienced surveyors can help the process run as smoothly as possible.
BUILDING OWNERS
If you are planning to undertake works falling within the scope of the Act find out more about what we can do for you including preparing the notice(s), recording a schedule of condition or acting as the appointed surveyor.
ADJOINING OWNERS
If your neighbours are preparing to undertake works that may affect your property or if you’ve recently received a party wall notice find out more about the options and available and which best suits your circumstances.
BASEMENT EXTENSIONS
Excavating a basement extension is one of the riskier types of work falling within the scope of the Act. Find out more about the special characteristics of this type of work and how they impact party wall procedures.
PARTY WALL PROCEDURES
If you’re planning building works, Peter Barry Surveyors can guide you through the party wall process clearly and efficiently.
Our experienced, RICS-qualified surveyors can act for:
- Building owners planning works
- Adjoining owners affected by neighbouring works
- Both parties as an agreed surveyor
You’ll receive practical advice to help you comply with the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 and avoid unnecessary disputes.
When the Party Wall Act Applies to You
You may need to serve notice if your project involves:
- Altering or cutting into a shared (party) wall
- Excavating close to a neighbouring structure
- Building a new wall on or near a boundary
If your neighbour does not consent to the notice, a formal dispute arises under the Act. A surveyor (or surveyors) must then be appointed to prepare a legally binding Party Wall Award.
How We Support You
Our surveyor will:
- Prepare and serve the necessary notices
- Where a dispute arises, draft a Party Wall Award setting out how and when works should proceed
- Prepare a detailed schedule of condition to record the neighbouring property’s condition before work begins
- Help resolve concerns and minimise delays
Our focus is to ensure compliance with the Act while keeping the process as smooth and professional as possible.
Getting Started
You can send your drawings or project details for:
- Free initial advice
- A clear explanation of your obligations
- A competitive, fixed-fee quote
This ensures you understand your responsibilities early and can proceed with confidence.
BUILDING OWNERS
If you’re planning construction on your property that might affect shared walls or neighbouring land, Peter Barry Surveyors will help you to understand your obligations under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 and prepare early.
Start Early and Communicate
- Begin planning well before work starts — notice periods under the Act are 1 or 2 months depending on the type of work.
- It’s strongly recommended you speak with your neighbours before serving formal notices. When neighbours feel informed, they’re less likely to dissent, which can keep costs and delays down.
Professional Notice Preparation
- Our experienced party wall surveyors can review your plans to confirm if the works fall under the Act and, if so, draft the required formal notice(s).
- We offer this service for a flat fee of £75 plus VAT per neighbouring owner, giving you certainty on costs.
What Happens After Notices Are Served
- If a dispute arises, both you and your neighbour must appoint a surveyor although the Act permits the same surveyor to act for both parties (an “agreed surveyor”), which can simplify the process and help control fees.
- The surveyor(s) produce a Party Wall Award to resolve the dispute and allow the work to proceed. You are responsible for your own surveyor’s fees and the reasonable fees of any surveyors appointed by adjoining owners.
- For more complex scenarios (e.g., basement excavation or underpinning), awards will reflect additional risks.
Why It Matters
- Proper notice and surveyor involvement help manage neighbour relations, minimise disputes, and ensure works proceed lawfully and efficiently.
- Serving accurate notices and having robust records can also protect you if claims arise later.
If you’d like help evaluating whether your planned works fall within the scope of the Act or would like a fixed-fee quote please contact us today.
ADJOINING OWNERS
What “Adjoining Owner” Means
If your neighbour’s building works might affect your property and you receive a Party Wall Notice, you have important choices under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Responding to a Party Wall Notice
- Once a notice is served on you, you can consent or dissent.
- If you do not respond within 14 days, the Act treats this as a dissent and a dispute is deemed to have arisen.
What Happens After You Dissent
- When a dispute arises, each owner must appoint a party wall surveyor so that a Party Wall Award can be agreed and served.
- The two appointed surveyors select a Third Surveyor to resolve any disagreements between them (though this is rarely necessary).
About the Party Wall Award
A Party Wall Award is a legally binding document that:
- Identifies the parties and describes the proposed works
- Sets out agreed safeguards to protect your interests
- Covers practical issues such as working hours, dust control, vibration limits, and access arrangements
- Resolves the dispute which arose when the notice was dissented to
- Includes a record of the condition of the relevant parts of your property before works begin
After the award has been served, the appointed surveyor(s) can be called upon to resolve any further disputes.
Fees & Surveyor Choice
- Although this isn’t explicitly stated in the Act, it’s a rule of thumb that the building owner pays both your surveyor’s fees and their own
- You can choose your own surveyor if you wish; alternatively, the same surveyor can be appointed for both parties (an ‘agreed surveyor’)
Protection & Advice
If you’ve received a Party Wall Notice and want to protect your property or understand your options, Peter Barry Surveyors will be happy to advise you on the best approach.
BASEMENT EXTENSIONS
If you’re planning a basement extension, this type of work typically involves deep excavation and underpinning — and is one of the riskiest kinds of projects covered by the Party Wall Act. It’s especially important to understand how notices and surveyor involvement work before you start.
Notices You May Need
For basement work, you might have to serve multiple statutory notices under different sections of the Act. These are often served together but still need careful preparation and timing:
- Adjacent Excavation Notice (Section 6) — required if you plan to excavate within 3.0m (or up to 6.0m for very deep foundations) of a neighbouring structure and to a depth greater than that structure’s foundations. Statutory notice period is 1 month.
- Party Structure Notice (Section 2) — needed if you plan to underpin a party wall or cut into it. Statutory notice period is 2 months.
- Line of Junction Notice (Section 1) — applies where a new basement wall goes up to a boundary (e.g., to create a light well). Statutory notice period is 1 month.
Even if your project triggers more than one type, the notices can usually be served together and the outcome settled in a single Party Wall Award.
Special Foundations and Consent
Basements often use special foundations (concrete reinforced with metal rods) to maximise the floor space. These require the adjoining owner’s specific consent — and if they choose not to consent, the design may need to change. Discuss this early with your surveyor and engineer.
Surveyors, Fees & Protection
- Adjoining owners with long leases or freeholds must be notified if their interests are affected, and our surveyors can advise exactly where notices are required.
- If a neighbouring owner dissents or fails to respond, surveyors are appointed to create a Party Wall Award to resolve the dispute.
- Because basement works are higher risk, surveyors’ fees are typically higher, and independent structural engineers may be involved — at your expense.
What This Means for You
Basement projects almost always fall under the Party Wall Act and require careful early planning, correct notices, and professional surveyor involvement to manage risk, neighbour consent, and fees appropriately.
Contact Us
If you require advice on any residential surveying matter please call us for some free advice or drop us an email.
About Harpenden
Harpenden is a quintessential English town, situated between the neighbouring gems of Hatfield to the southeast and Hemel Hempstead to the northwest. This geographic trifecta encapsulates the town’s idyllic setting, where the essence of Hertfordshire’s charm converges.
The area’s well-established transport links offer a seamless blend of accessibility and tranquillity. The town’s railway station serves as a vital connection, linking residents to London and the surrounding areas. The intricate road network, including proximity to major routes, further enhances Harpenden’s connectivity, making it a haven for both commuters and those seeking a peaceful retreat.
Beyond its serene landscapes, Harpenden boasts a vibrant cultural scene with an array of entertainment venues. From the captivating performances at the Harpenden Public Halls to the community spirit embodied by the Harpenden Film Society, the town provides a rich tapestry of cultural experiences that resonate with both residents and visitors alike.
Adding a touch of cinematic allure to Harpenden is the town’s historical connection to legendary film director Stanley Kubrick. During his early years, Kubrick lived and worked in Harpenden, and the echoes of this influential filmmaker linger in the town’s cultural legacy.
YOUR LOCAL PETER BARRY OFFICE
Censeo House6 St. Peter’s Street
St. Albans
Herts
AL1 3LF
Telephone: 01727 221746
Email: surveying@peterbarry.co.uk
meet your local team
Shaun is an experienced chartered surveyor (BSc (Hons) MRICS) known for clear diagnostics and decisive, plain‑English advice on technically demanding residential instructions in Central London. His core focus is RICS Level 3 (Building Survey) reports on high‑value and complex assets—mansion blocks, period conversions, mews properties and larger townhouses—where construction nuance, historic fabric and services integration demand thorough investigation and balanced, risk‑based recommendations.
Alongside survey work, Shaun leads project management for block maintenance and repair—from defect diagnosis and scope definition through specification, procurement and contractor selection, to contract administration, site quality control and handover. He has a particular specialism in fire‑damage reinstatement, coordinating strip‑out and drying phases, smoke/soot decontamination and full internal and envelope reinstatement, while aligning stakeholders such as freeholders, managing agents, loss adjusters and insurers.
Amrita joined Peter Barry in September 2023 after graduating with a Geography and Business degree from the University of Nottingham. She is currently studying for a Building Surveying degree at UCEM.
Amrita is part of the party wall team. This involves assisting the appointed surveyor with the day to day running of files and includes tasks such as drafting documents, recording schedules of condition and keeping the parties up to date.
Outside of work, Amrita enjoys reading, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with her family and friends.
Joanne joined the team in 2018 after her previous company was acquired by Peter Barry. She quickly became a valued member, contributing her extensive administrative knowledge and industry experience.
She has over 30 years’ experience in administration for surveying firms, including seven years at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Her strong organisational skills and attention to detail ensure smooth daily operations.
Outside of work, Joanne enjoys crocheting, reading, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Contact Us
If you require advice on any residential surveying matter please call us for some free advice or drop us an email.
WHY CHOOSE PETER BARRY
We have a team of surveyors specialising in party wall matters so you can be sure that your appointed surveyor is an expert in the field.
Our surveyors are members of the Royal Institution Chartered Surveyors (RICS) so you can rely on their honesty, integrity and professionalism.
Peter Barry Surveyors are Regulated by the RICS ensuring that you have a free to use method of redress should anything go wrong.
Our team have a duty to keep up to date with the latest party wall case law and this will be reflected in the advice that you receive.
The team are also members of party wall specific governing bodies the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors or the Pyramus & Thisbe Society.
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