Party wall surveyor
Contents |
[edit] Overview
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 provides the legal basis for the prevention and resolution of disputes in relation to party walls, boundary walls and excavations near neighbouring buildings.
A party wall surveyor provides a specialist role in resolving disputes between neighbours under the Act. Party wall surveyors have a duty to the Act rather than to the individuals appointing them and they resolve matters in dispute in a fair and practical way.
[edit] Who can be appointed as a surveyor?
Under the Act, a 'surveyor' is any person who is not party to the works. Therefore, the property owner cannot act for themselves but anyone else is permitted to take on the role. The surveyor should however be experienced in construction and have knowledge of procedures under the Act (ref. Department for Communities and Local Government 2013).
The Institute of Party Wall Surveyors (IPWS) has been established to provide a platform and structure upon which those professionals operating, or wishing to enter this specialist field of expertise are able to develop cohesively as a professional body. For more information see: Institute of Party Wall Surveyors.
[edit] Party wall award
If both parties agree on the appointment of a surveyor (an ‘Agreed Surveyor’), they will draw up an agreement (an ‘Award’) to resolve the dispute. Alternatively, each party can appoint their own surveyors to draw up the Award together (or select a third surveyor to determine the Award). An Award is a legally binding document that includes the following:
- The work that will be carried out.
- How and when the work will be carried out.
- Any additional work required.
- Provision of access for the surveyor(s) to inspect the works as necessary.
(Ref. Department for Communities and Local Government 2013.)
The Award may also include a record of the condition of the neighbouring property before works begin.
If the neighbour does not agree with the Award, it is possible to appeal to the county court within 14 days of issue.
For more information see Party Wall Act.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Appointing consultants.
- Construction covered by the Party Wall Act of 1996.
- Institute of party wall surveyors.
- Party structure notice.
- Party wall act.
- Responsibility for boundary features.
- Right of support.
- Stakeholders.
- Third-party dependencies.
- Three party wall notice responses.
- Trespass.
[edit] External references
Diversity, social value and skills
[edit] Directory
[edit] Join in
Building People is bringing together the huge amount of resource that exists across the Built Environment industry, with a focus on diversity and inclusion, skills and careers, and social value.
We need your help to do this.
Have you got useful material to share? Do you know of information that would be helpful to others? If it is relevant to the Built Environment and to diversity, skills and social value, then it's relevant to others. Help them find it by using the guidelines below.
[edit] Add your own content
- For guidance about writing and adding your own content see Get started - top tips and help.
- Some articles are more popular and useful than others. This article explains more.
- Make sure you use the right title as this helps search engines find it. See here for guidance.
- Add your signature to link readers to your profile.
- Tick the 'People' box when you submit the article - that way your content will appear in this Building People microsite.
- Finding it tricky? Contact us for assistance.
Comments