RENOVATions FORUM
We’re doing an extension and I’ve discovered we need to get consent from our neighbours concerning party walls. Has anyone had any experience? Do we just get someone to draw up a party wall agreement?
Hi Ishan
There are sometimes reasons why you'd want a Party Wall Agreement in place regardless, but you don't need one unless you're "in dispute" with your neighbour.
Before the Party Wall Agreement stage though, there's a notification stage that you must handle (you can DIY or engage a Party Wall Surveyor to do it for you). That involves formally notifying the neighbour of the proposed works. They then consent to the work or don't consent. Notifications, depending on which is needed, must be sent 1 or 2 months in advance of work commencing so be sure to get notifications handled well in advance.
If your neighbours don't consent, or don't reply within a set timeframe, that'd mean you'd be "in dispute" under the Party Wall Act. When in dispute, there's a dispute resolution process that kicks in which entails you having to engage at least one party wall surveyor who will survey the properties and produce a Party Wall Agreement.
If you're in a position to do so, it's wise to chat through all Party Wall Act matters and the notifications process etc in advance with any relevant neighbours.
The Reno Info Hub Party Wall Act page sets everything out for you, and provides handy notification templates so you can see what those are as well as a flowchart (at the bottom of the page) ----- https://renoviva.co.uk/hub/pre-works-the-party-wall-act/
Good luck!
Renoviva team
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