ZEPROG!

The Party Wall Act 1996 explained

Boundary issues bewteen neighbours are increasingly common, nas many of these relate to party walls.

The Party Wall Act comes into effect if someone is planning to do work on a relevant structure, for the purposes of the Act ‘party wall’ does not just mean the wall between two semi-detached properties, it covers:

• A wall forming part of only one building but which is on the boundary line between two (or more) properties.
• A wall which is common to two (or more) properties, this includes where someone built a wall and a neighbour subsequent built something butting up to it.
• A garden wall, where the wall is astride the boundary line (or butts up against it) and is used to separate the properties but is not part of any building.
• Floors and ceilings of flats etc.
• Excavation near to a neighbouring property.

As with all work affecting neighbours, it is always better to reach a friendly agreement rather than resort to any law. Even where the work requires a notice to be served, it is better to informally discuss the intended work, consider the neighbours comments, and amend your plans (if appropriate) before serving the notice.

What work can be done without notice/permission ?

Under the Party Wall Act some work is not covered. Such work include:

• Putting up shelves and wall units.
• Replastering.
• Electrical rewiring.

What work needs a notice and permission ?

The general principle of the Party Wall Act is that all work which might have an effect upon the structural strength or support function of the party wall or might cause damage to the neighbouring side of the wall must be notified in accordance with law. If in doubt, advice should be sought from a local Building Control Office or professional surveyor/architect.