How Will the Party Wall Act Affect the Installation of My Conservatory?
Why you can't just go ahead and build your conservatory
Occasionally you'll notice a news story in regards to a property dispute between neighbours. This can be anything from the height of a hedge between them to the building of a conservatory. For anyone who is considering the latter, be familiar with the Party Wall Act 1996. Making sure you make reference to this before building can save a lot of hassle later. Here's a quick guide to the main element points...
What is it?
The Party Wall Act 1996 regulates everything you can and cannot do when building either on part of, or close to, a neighbour's property. You need to refer to it if you are planning to create a conservatory which would involve:
? an existing wall or structure distributed to another property
? a free standing wall up to or astride the boundary to your neighbour's property
? excavating near a neighbouring building to create your foundations
The fence that isn't actually a fence
The term Party Wall Fence actually refers to a wall which doesn't form section of a building but does straddle the boundary between you as well as your neighbour. If you are planning to build from this, or excavate within three metres of it, there is action you will need to take.
An important notice
At least 8 weeks before work starts, you must give your neighbour the official notice, containing information such as:
? name, address, and owners of the property
? statement that it is being served under the terms of this act
? complete description and proposed start date of work
? date of serving the notice
? what happens when there is a dispute
Just having a speak to your neighbour isn't sufficient. They can agree to work starting earlier, but don't have to. Your builder or architect, with their experience, should cope with this for you. Your neighbours have 2 weeks to give written permission or register dissent. Should they don't reply, you proceed to...
A Party Wall Dispute
A surveyor or surveyors is appointed to determine a good and impartial award. Each party can appoint their own or agree to just one. Following the making of an award, if this won't settle the dispute, all parties can interest a County Court.
Once agreement is reached
All work must adhere to the notice. Keep https://westmidlandssurveyor.co.uk/best-party-wall-surveys-west-midlands/ ; if you later sell the property, a prospective owner may wish to check it.
Final words
This is a very basic guide. There's greater detail in a free 42-page booklet from the Department for Communities and MUNICIPALITY. If all of this seems a headache, it's surely infinitely preferable to the alternative!
Ultraframe are specialist designers and manufacturers of conservatories and orangeries