Advice for both sides
Building Owners
- Review proposals and advise on notice requirements and timing
- Prepare and serve notices where instructed
- Liaise with the Adjoining Owner’s surveyor
- Prepare or agree a schedule of condition and award where a dispute arises
- Assist with relevant post-award matters
Adjoining Owners
- Review notices and proposed works
- Explain statutory options available
- Record property condition where appropriate
- Consider safeguarding provisions and access
- Agree an award where required
- Assist with relevant post-award matters
Important points
The surveyor’s role under the Act is distinct from acting as a client advocate.
An Award deals with matters within the Act and does not decide title, boundary ownership or unrelated legal disputes.
Work should not begin until applicable statutory procedures have been completed.
Specialist legal or engineering advice may be needed in some cases.
Party Wall Surveying
Clear advice for Building Owners and Adjoining Owners under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996
GP Surveys Ltd reviews proposed work and provides advice on whether the Act may apply, notices, schedules of condition, surveyor appointments, awards and post-award matters within the agreed scope.
When the Act may apply
The Act can cover work to a party wall or party structure, building at or near a boundary, and certain excavation near neighbouring foundations. Applicability depends on the specific work and statutory tests; we do not reduce the excavation test to distance alone.
How an instruction works
Timescales depend on the work, responses and information available; not every instruction proceeds to an Award.
01
Initial review
GP Surveys Ltd reviews the outline proposals and available information to identify whether the Act may be relevant and what next steps may be appropriate.
02
Notices and response period
Where required, notices are prepared and served and there is a statutory period for responses.
03
Surveyor appointment and information review
Surveyors are appointed where needed and review drawings, method statements and other relevant information.
04
Schedule of Condition, Award and follow-up
A schedule of condition may be recorded, an award may be prepared where a dispute arises, and follow-up visits or advice may be provided within the agreed scope.
Planning work near a neighbouring property?
Send a brief outline of your property and proposed works for an initial view on whether a Party Wall instruction may be appropriate.