Ethical Party Wall Options
Important
First off: don’t be scared, and don’t stress.
The formality of the letters, language and deadlines required by The Party Wall Act 1996 can raise a great deal of negativity between neighbours where none is intended or required. If you have received a Party Wall Notice or the works you have planned require you to issue a notice to your neighbours, remember this:
the most valuable thing to lose or gain is a good relationship between neighbours.
Despite what very many party wall surveyors may suggest, the Party Wall Act offers three main ways to attain agreement between neighbours.
- Neighbours Can Simply Agree To The Works Between Themselves;
- Neighbours Can Agree to Appoint a Single Surveyor To Make All Party Wall Decisions;
- Neighbour Can Each Appoint A Different Surveyor Who Will Discuss Party Wall Matters Before Making Joint Decisions.
Neighbourly Walls’ experience suggests that the best thing neighbours can do is to consider each of these options in priority order.
Read more about Neighbourly Walls’ approach below, look at the various options we offer to manage Party Wall matters and do contact us using the chat box in the bottom right to discuss each option further.
Approaches To Neighbourliness
The Party Wall Act insists there will be agreement between neighbours at some point, either through the neighbours independently consenting to the party wall work themselves, or delegating the decision to one or more party wall surveyors who will impose agreement upon them.
Neighbourly Walls’ prime concern is ensuring the best relationship between neighbours as possible. We offer a variety of services to assist those relationships and to avoid animosity raised by works engaging The Party Wall Act.
Experience demonstrates that a Schedule of Condition helps to establish good neighbourly relationships. We insist on a Schedule of Condition as part of our process unless all affected neighbours are willing to consent following a notice.
Notices Only
Notices have to be served in accordance with the Act, but we ensure that neighbours know they can consent to the works.
£40 per notice
Enhanced & Informed Consent
Consent is better when it's informed, so we act as the independent povider of a Schedule of Condition, which can be referred to if any disputes about the work arise. Any notices served to achieve this level of consent are FREE.
£500
Mediated, Enhanced & Informed Consent
Sometimes some concerns and disagreements need to be resolved about the planned works. Adding some facilitative mediation can help neighbours to share their concerns openly and constructively with each other to attain mutual contentment.
£750
Mediated Agreed Surveyor Award
The Neighbours agree to appoint a single surveyor who will conduct a schedule of condition, hold an evaluative mediation meeting and produce an award. The mediation enables neighbours to air their concerns and find areas of agreement. In any areas where they cannot agree, the Agreed Surveyor will make the determination. All these areas will be recorded in an Agreed Surveyor award.
£1500
Unmediated Agreed Surveyor Award
Sometimes neighbours do not need or want to participate in mediation. They can delegate responsibility by agreeing to appoint a single surveyor to conduct a schedule of condition and make an award to apply to the party wall. It's a faster and cheaper process.
£1000
Owner's Surveyor
It's sad when the relationship between neighbours isn't good enough for them to come to agreement. In such instances, you can appoint Neighbourly Walls to act as surveyor for the building owner or one or more adjoining owners. All appointed surveyors will negotiate an award for what's best for the party structure.