Party Wall Surveyors for Kent & London
Expertise in Party Wall etc. Act 1996, serving homeowners, developers, and architects across Kent, London & SE England
Why You Need a Party Wall Surveyor
Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, if you're building on or near a shared wall, erecting a structure on the boundary, or digging within 3 m of your neighbour’s property, you must serve a formal Party Wall Notice, and failure to do so can delay your project or lead to legal disputes.
A qualified party wall surveyor:
- Prepares and serves notices
- Offers advice on rights and obligations
- Acts impartially to protect both parties, preserving neighbourly relationships.
Our Party Wall Service
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Party Wall NoticesWe prepare and serve compliant notices in line with statutory timescales (at least two months before work begins).
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Award PreparationWhen where notices are dissented or disputes arise, we draft a legally binding Party Wall Award detailing the scope, timing, cost, responsibilities, and protection measures.
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Schedule of ConditionWe conduct thorough surveys and report on existing conditions to protect against potential damage and set accountability.
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Dispute Resolution & MediationWhether acting as an Agreed Surveyor or separate surveyors for each party, we mediate impartially. If surveyors disagree, we appoint an independent Third Surveyor to ensure fair outcomes.
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Expert Advice for Excavations and Boundary WorksGuidance on underground works close to neighbouring structures, ensuring risk is managed and statutory obligations met.
Benefits of Our Party Wall Service
- Impartiality and Trust: As qualified professionals, we uphold impartiality as required by the Act, whether appointed by both parties or separately.
- Efficient, Cost-Effective Service: Appointing an “Agreed Surveyor” can save time and reduce costs compared to having two surveyors.
- Peace of Mind & Legal Compliance: Your project proceeds without delay, with clear documentation and statutory compliance.
- Neighbourly Protection: A detailed Schedule of Condition ensures any potential damage is logged and properly addressed.
How We Work
- Free initial consultation: We advise on notice requirements and service procedures
- Notice & Survey: We issue notices, and—if consent isn’t received—prepare Awards, including a Schedule of Condition.
- Award Finalization: We agree both through mediation or separate appointments, and present a legally binding Award.
- Post-Award support: Oversee works to ensure they comply with the Award, managing any necessary inspections.
Ready to Start?
Don’t let Party Wall obligations delay your project or sour neighbourly relations. Adkins Consultants Ltd provides expert, seamless support under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Contact us today for a no-obligation discussion or a tailored fee proposal.
Frequently Asked Questions about Party Walls
There are several common mistakes that Party Wall Surveyors encounter:
- Starting work without getting permission
- Not providing enough detail on your notice
- Not following the correct timelines
Ensure you have the correct advice and contact Adkins Consultants for all your Party Wall Advice on 01622 236500 or 02038 051078.
If you are the building owner set some money aside to pay for the party wall, as most of the bill sits with you, including the adjoining owner(s) surveyor, should they decide to appoint someone independently.
A Party Wall Award is a legal document. This means that both the building owner and adjoining owner(s) must appoint party wall surveyors under section 10 of the Party Wall Act. You can either jointly agree upon a single party wall surveyor or you can each appoint different party wall surveyors. The Party Wall Award will include:
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- Timings and manner of the proposed work
- A schedule of condition – a record of the condition of the adjoining owner’s property, in case any damage is caused during the building work
- Project drawings
- Financial protection, slightly bias to the adjoining owner
In residential circumstances, Party Wall agreements are frequently used for building work that involves a loft conversion, the insertion of damp proof courses and extensions, where are you are required to dig new foundations. Obviously, there are other scenarios, but these are the most common. If you are about to undertake building work that sits astride or next to the party wall, here are some things to consider?
You must serve notice
Even the best of neighbours can fall out, so avoid ‘over the wall’ friendly agreements and follow the Party Wall Act, which states you must serve notice and sets out the information that should be included in this notice, namely: name and address of both parties, signed by building owner (or representative), sufficient description of proposed works and planned start date. A homeowner must give two months written notice on building works which affect a party wall or boundary, or one month’s notice for excavations.
Neighbour (adjoining owner)
The adjoining owner has 14 days to respond and there are typically three possible outcomes:
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- A party wall agreement – when both parties consent to the work that is due to take place. The agreement is a legal document and provides a framework of how the work will be conducted and processes for disputes to be resolved.
- A party wall award – if the adjoining owner(s) dissents the notice or does not respond within 14 days, a party wall is required.
- Building along the boundary between two properties
- Excavating within prescribed distances of shared or adjoining structures
- Altering a party structure
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is a legal act that is essentially there to help! It provides a framework to help owners prevent or resolve any disputes that may happen regarding the party wall.
You can also have a ‘party structure’. This could be a floor or other structure that separates buildings or parts of buildings with different owners, e.g. flats.
In simple terms a ‘party wall’ separates the land of two (or more) owners.
The wall typically strides both owners land (Type A) or it can sit wholly on one owner’s land but be used by both owners (TYPE B). For example, one neighbour has a building structure that leans against a wall that is owned by the other neighbour, or between two gardens in masonry (known as a party fence wall).
A party wall may not necessarily have a boundary running through its centre line for the whole of its length but for only part of its length.
