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Welcome to M.G Party Wall Experts
At M.G Party Wall Experts, we specialise in providing professional and impartial advice on all matters related to the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Whether you're a homeowner, developer, or neighbour, our team is dedicated to ensuring that your interests are protected throughout the construction process. From serving Party Wall Notices to preparing legally binding Party Wall Awards, we handle every step with precision and expertise. With a focus on clear communication and exceptional service, we’re here to make the process seamless and stress-free for all parties involved.
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What is the Party Wall etc. Act 1996?
If you or your neighbour are planning to undertake a kitchen extension, convert the loft space, reconfigure internal layouts or excavate a basement, the proposed works may well fall under the provisions of The Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
The Act broadly covers three distinct types of ‘notifiable’ work (more detail below):
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Alterations to party structures, such as walls separating terraced or semi-detached houses, which can in turn be divided into flats
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Excavation work within 3m that is lower than existing neighbouring foundations
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New walls constructed on or up to boundary lines
Where work falls within the scope of the Act, it is necessary for a Building Owner to serve notice and obtain the Adjoining Owner’s consent. If consent is not given, the parties are deemed to be ‘in dispute’ under the Act and surveyors must be appointed to resolve the dispute by way of a Party Wall Award.The process set out in the Act protects neighbours (Adjoining Owners) by determining the manner and timing of notifiable work whilst having the ability to offer compensation in the event that damage is caused. It also affords the property owner who is undertaking the work (Building Owner), certain rights such as access to neighbouring land for the purposes of completing that work.
TYPES OF WORKS COVERED BY THE PARTY WALL ACT
Notifiable work under the Party Wall act falls into three distinct categories, each corresponding to a different Section of the Act:
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SECTION 1: NEW BOUNDARY WALLS
The most common type of new building is the construction of a new wall up to (but not beyond) the boundary, which is technically referred to as a 1(5) wall. Adjoining Owners can incorrectly believe that any new walls need to be set slightly back from the boundary (typically because their architect told them this when they built their extension 20 years ago) but this is not the case. As long as all elements including roofs, gutters and fascias do not protrude, the wall can be built right up to the boundary and does not require the neighbour's consent.
A less common wall type is a 1(2) wall, which is built 50/50 on the boundary and does require the Adjoining Owners' consent. This is advantageous to the Building Owner as they gain a slightly larger extension, whilst the Adjoining Owner gets a party wall that they can then build off with their own extension in the future (unlike a 1(5) wall which they cannot).
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SECTION 2: WORK TO A PARTY WALL
Section 2 of the Act sets out 14 categories of work that require notice, although in practice only around half a dozen are commonly used. The most frequent types of work include:
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2(2)(a): Underpinning a party wall, usually for basement works, but sometimes required for extensions where existing foundations need strengthening. This also covers raising a party wall, for example when parapet walls are extended to form part of a loft conversion.
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2(2)(b): Repairing, or demolishing and rebuilding, a party wall where necessary.
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2(2)(f): Cutting into a party wall, often to insert steel beams for loft conversions or open-plan layouts, as well as joist hangers or lead flashings for weatherproofing.
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2(2)(g): Cutting away projections from a party wall, typically chimney breasts or structural returns.
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2(2)(l): Raising, repairing, or rebuilding a garden party wall, often to tie in with the flank wall of a new extension.
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2(2)(n): Exposing a party wall, provided adequate weather protection is put in place.
This section of the Act is most often used for loft conversions, extensions, and chimney alterations.
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SECTION 6: EXCAVATIONS
Excavations for foundations within 3 metres of a neighbouring property where they are deeper than the neighbour’s existing foundations. Many Victorian to 1930s houses found in London have shallow footings, often less than 300mm, while modern foundations usually need to be at least 600mm to meet Building Control standards.
It can also apply to pad foundations, reduced ground levels, and in some cases to works within 6 metres of a neighbouring structure where deeper methods such as piling are used. In these situations, the Act applies if the excavation intersects an imaginary 45-degree line projected downwards from the base of the adjoining foundation.
How much does a party wall surveyor cost?
The cost of a Party Wall Surveyor can vary depending on the complexity of the works, the number of properties involved, and the level of service required. On average, fees start from as little as £120 for a Party Wall Notice and range upwards depending on whether additional services like a Schedule of Condition or a Party Wall Award are needed.
For an accurate and tailored quote based on your specific requirements, click the button below to get started!
