Party Wall Surveyors Harrow

As outlined by the Party Wall Act, it is a requirement for you as a property owner in Harrow to serve notice before initiating any construction activities on an existing shared wall or near your property boundary.

Your neighbours should receive a notice if you plan to execute the following:

1). Erecting new walls at or across the boundary line.
2). Conducting work directly on a Party Wall, Party Structure, or Party Fence Wall.
3). Executing excavations within a 3m or 6m radius to a depth that is lower than your neighbour’s foundations or structures.

It’s suggested that you have a conversation with your neighbours prior to issuing the notice. This is because neighbours who feel consulted are less likely to immediately appoint an independent surveyor.

A Party Wall stands astride the boundary of land belonging to two or more owners and either:
– Forms part of a building
– Separates two or more buildings
– or consists of a ‘party fence wall’
A ‘party fence wall’ is not part of a building but stands astride the boundary between land of different owners and is used to separate the land.
Floors or walls between flats are ‘party structures’.

Failure to observe the Party Wall Act can lead to serious legal consequences, costs, and delays. As a resident of Harrow, if your neighbour embarks on construction work and ignores the Party Wall Act, you have the right to resort to legal actions.

If your neighbour’s disregard of the Party Wall Act causes a dispute between you two, you have the right to bring legal action against them. Courts typically show little tolerance towards any neglect of the statutory responsibilities mandated by the Party Wall Act.

One of the most significant impacts of facing legal action is the financial burden. If a Building Owner has neglected their duties under the Party Wall Act, they are likely to bear all the costs of legal action required to halt the work and resolve the situation. This will likely exceed the cost of abiding by the Party Wall Act itself.

Additionally, the court can issue an injunction to stop any work until the dispute is settled, resulting in significant delays and financial losses. Interim injunctions can be granted quickly, halting the works immediately until the procedure specified in the Party Wall Act is followed.