When Should You Appoint Party Wall Surveyors in St Albans?
Our party wall surveyors in St Albans can handle disputes and issues under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
They can impartially and expertly assist both the building owner proposing the works and the neighbour/ adjoining owner.
You’ll need a party wall surveyor in St Albans if you want to:
- Propose work that falls under the party wall act and affects their property.
- Obtain a Schedule of Conditions, documenting areas at risk from the proposed work with photographic and written evidence.
- Prepare a Party Wall Award outlining how and when the work is to be done.
Do You Need a Surveyor for a Party Wall Award?
Often incorrectly called a party wall agreement, party wall surveyor(s) will need to be appointed if the adjoining owner wishes them to review the proposals with a view to minimalising the risk and inconvenience to their property.
You can appoint a surveyor together or separately (termed the agreed surveyor).
CONTACT US
If you require free advice or a quote in relation to a residential surveying matter in St Albans please contact us today.
What Type of Work Falls Under the Party Wall Act?
There are three main areas of work where you’ll need to notify your adjoining owner in St Albans.
- Work is planned on a shared wall that directly affects its structure, such as inserting steels.
- Excavation work is planned within 3.0m of an adjoining structure with a depth greater than the foundation base.
- You plan on building a new wall up to or astride the shared boundary.
Common projects that could fall under these areas include:
- Loft conversions
- Wall removals
- Rear and side extensions
- Basement extensions
We highly recommend that you appoint a party wall surveyor in St Albans, like Peter Barry, to prepare the notice on your behalf.
This is because a well-prepared notice can massively increase the chances of the adjoining owner responding more favourably.
If a dispute arises after your notice, you’ll legally be required to appoint a party wall surveyor in St Albans.
For more information, be sure to contact us today for a free consultation and quote.
How Can Our Party Wall Surveyors in St Albans Help You?
Whether you’re the building owner or adjoining owner, our expert St Albans party wall surveyors are here to help.
If You’re the Building Owner in St Albans
We assist in preparing notices, completing Schedules of Condition, and serving party wall awards.
If your work falls under the Party Wall Act, you need to notify all affected parties by serving a notice.
Your St Albans neighbour has three options when responding to this notice:
- To consent and allow the work to continue (can be with or without as schedule of condition).
- To dissent and appoint the same surveyor.
- To dissent and appoint a different surveyor.
If your neighbour chooses to dissent, an award will be produced.
Ideally, you will want your neighbour to consent or dissent and appoint the same St Albans party wall surveyor, as you’re responsible for the surveyor’s reasonable fees including those of your adjoining owners.
We can help increase the chances of a smooth process with expert advice and technical knowledge.
The first step we recommend is offering to pay for a Schedule of Condition as part of your notice, which will record the condition of the property at risk.
This can be a really useful document to have as it can protect you from any wrongful damage claims while giving your neighbour extra peace of mind.
If You’re the Adjoining Owner in St Albans
If your St Albans neighbour has proposed work that affects your property, you can choose to respond in three ways:
- Consent if you’re happy with the work.
- Dissent if you’re unhappy with the work and appoint the same surveyor as your neighbour.
- Dissent and appoint a different surveyor as your neighbour.
Even if you choose to consent, we recommend getting a Schedule of Conditions to identify any new damage and provide proof for claims.
If you dissent, a dispute will arise as per the Party Wall Act.
If a Party Wall Dispute Arises
Once a party wall notice has been dissented to, a dispute arises and the surveyor has to determine the timing and manner of the proposed works.
In these circumstances, a party wall surveyor must be appointed and have a duty to resolve this dispute.
Party wall surveyors in St Albans are obligated to act impartially and balance the interests of all affected owners.
When a resolution is found, the agreed-upon terms are laid out in a document known as a Party Wall Award, which will authorise work to continue with additional obligations.
Examples of obligations could include ensuring that the risk of damage is minimised as reasonably possible or that there’s no unnecessary inconvenience for the adjoining owners.
What is the Cost of a Party Wall Surveyor in St Albans?
As per the Party Wall Act, the building owner pays for surveyor fees in the event of a dispute.
Costs can vary based on the project scope:
- Party Wall Notice: £65 + VAT per adjoining owner.
- Schedule of Condition: typically £450 to £650 + VAT, depending on the property size.
- Award fees are on a case by case basis
The adjoining owner’s fees are not known in advance as they’re charged hourly.
But mechanisms are in place to keep these fees as low as reasonably possible.
Our Other Services in St Albans
PARTY WALL SURVEYORS IN ST ALBANS NEAR YOU
St Albans is a charming city that exudes historical significance and modern vitality. Located just a stone’s throw away from Watford to the south and Welwyn Garden City to the north, it sits at the heart of this vibrant county.
Transport links are robust, with a well-connected railway station offering frequent services to London, making it an ideal choice for commuters. The M1 motorway also conveniently intersects the city, providing easy access to neighbouring areas and beyond.
With a history dating back to Roman times, St Albans boasts the stunning remains of Verulamium, a thriving Roman settlement. Its ancient streets still whisper the tales of its past, making it a haven for history enthusiasts.
Notable residents have also left their mark on St Albans. The city was home to the brilliant physicist Stephen Hawking, who lived here for much of his life. His legacy continues to inspire the community, and his connection to the area is a source of pride for its residents.
YOUR LOCAL PETER BARRY OFFICE
Censeo House6 St. Peter’s Street
St. Albans
Herts
AL1 3LF
Telephone: 01727 221 746
Email: surveying@peterbarry.co.uk
CONTACT US
If you require free advice or a quote in relation to a residential surveying matter in St Albans please contact us today.
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Why Choose Peter Barry Party Wall Surveyors in St Albans?
Leading London-based party wall specialists with a 35+ year history.
Breadth & depth of expertise provided by experienced team of RICS surveyors.
Straight forward and honest professional, impartial advice.
Up-to-date understanding of best practice and case law through training and CPD.
Members of relevant governing bodies – RICS, FPWS, P&T.
Party Wall Frequently Asked Questions
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.
