Most people discover the thought of dealing with party wall issues a daunting prospect. The Party Wall Etc Act has many connotations, so it's no surprise that lots of people have problems with it.
Things can become even more convoluted in major cities like London, which have many period properties and buildings near each other. It is essential that these issues are handled properly.
Explaining the Party Wall etc Act 1996
The Act provides rights and responsibilities whichever side of the 'wall' you're on. For the party carrying out the work the Act offers rights not afforded by common law, such as access onto the neighbours land to handle some or all the proposed works, or provide temporary works (e.g. scaffolding) during the works.
It is very important understand the Act whether it is you or your neighbour who proposes to carry out focus on shared or near by structures. The Act covers work on structures such as for example shared walls, floors/ceilings of flats, garden walls, and excavations near a neighbouring property.
The general principle of the Act is that work which might have an effect upon the structural strength or support function of a celebration wall or might cause harm to the neighbouring side of the wall must be notified.
Some of work covered by the Act is listed below:
Demolishing and/or rebuilding a celebration wall.
Increasing the height or thickness of a PW
Cutting in to the PW to take load bearing beams.
Underpinning https://click4r.com/posts/g/16334641/ .
Excavations within 3 metres of a neighbouring building where the excavation will go below the bottom of the foundations of the neighbouring building.
Excavations within 6 metres of a neighbouring building where the excavation will go below a line drawn 45� downwards from the bottom of the foundations of the neighbouring building.
Work that is not included in the Act includes putting up shelves and wall units, replastering and electrical rewiring.
If your planned work on an existing structure falls under the Act, you need to then issue a notice to all affected neighbouring parties. The neighbouring parties must then decide whether they desire to dispute the notice or not.
As with all work affecting neighbours, it is always better to reach a friendly agreement. Even where in Visit this site requires a notice to be served, it is better to informally discuss the intended work, consider the neighbours comments, and if practical amend your plans accordingly.