Drake and Reynolds provides professional party wall advice to both property developers and homeowners
As Chartered Surveyors and members of the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors, we offer expert and efficient party wall surveying to both building owners and adjoining owners across Surrey and London. Our experience and knowledge of the Party Wall Act allows us to make informed and timely decisions, resulting in the process going smoothly, safely and to the satisfaction of all parties involved. Our party wall surveying services include:
Free, no obligation consultation to review proposals and assess party wall award requirements
Informing all parties of their obligations
Drafting and serving relevant Notices
Undertaking schedules of conditions
Preparing party wall awards
Advising adjoining owners once they have received a Notice
Acting as the Agreed Surveyor
Building Owners
Are you carrying out an extension or building within 6 meters of your neighbours house? Then you may need to arrange a party wall award. Drake and Reynolds can help you with this.
Adjoining owners
Is your neighbour carrying out building work or have you been served a party wall notice? We can help you understand what it means and explain what you need to do.
Understanding the process and terminology
The party wall award can often seem like a daunting process. It is often considered another hoop to jump through on an ever-growing list of hoops as part of the building process. At Drake & Reynolds, our expert knowledge means that we can make this as seamless as possible for you, here’s a summary of the process and an explanation of some of the key terms that you may have heard.
What is a party wall?
A wall that is shared by two owners, this can be a shared wall of a building or a garden wall. The Act does not apply to timber fences. A Party Wall does not necessarily mean shared ownership, but simply shared use. Are you unsure whether your wall is a Party Wall? Get in touch, we can help.
What is the party wall act?
The Party Wall Etc. Act (1996) (‘The Act’) is a piece of English legislation that was written to protect neighbours when undertaking building work to shared land. It was originally written to protect neighbouring buildings from the spreading of fire, but this has been extended to cover structural issues.
What is a party wall award?
An agreement between two surveyors who are appointed by the two different owners to ensure both owners’ interests are looked after. The owner undertaking the building work is known as the ‘building owner’ and the neighbour is known as the ‘adjoining owner’. If agreed, one surveyor can act for both owners.
When is a party wall Award required?
In simple terms, there are three scenarios where The Act is applicable and a Party Wall Award may be required. These are:
i) When you are building on the boundary with your neighbour
ii) When you are undertaking work to a wall that you share with your neighbour
iii) When you are building within 3m or 6m of your neighbours property.
What is a party wall notice?
In the case where a Party Wall Award is required, the Building Owner carrying out the work is required by The Act to serve a Party Wall Notice on their neighbour (the Adjoining Owner), outlining the intended works. Whether you are a Building Owner looking to issue a Party Wall Notice or an Adjoining Owner who has received one, Drake and Reynolds can act as Party Wall Surveyor on your behalf.
What is involved in a party wall award?
Upon receipt of the Party Wall Notice, the Adjoining Owner has the opportunity to consent or dispute to the notice, after which there are numerous scenarios that can take place. We can explain the detail of these scenarios to you and manage the process for you, keeping you informed throughout. Get in touch and one of our Party Wall Surveyors will contact you to discuss your requirements.