Contact number: 0203 633 1968 Email: PartyWallsofLondon@outlook.com
Expert Party Wall Surveyors – Fast, Fair & Fully Qualified
Your Trusted Local Party Wall Surveyors
Drawing on more than 15 years of hands-on construction experience, we help homeowners and neighbours navigate the Party Wall process with confidence.
From Party Wall Notices and Schedules of Condition to full Party Wall Awards, we offer clear, fixed-fee services and straightforward advice.
Whether you’re planning an extension or dealing with a Party Wall dispute, we’re here to make the process simple and stress-free.
Why Choose Us
As registered FPWS members, we adhere to the highest standards in party wall surveying, ensuring compliance and peace of mind
How Can We Help?
Building an Extension at the Boundary Line?
Common Mistakes
X Starting work before serving notice.
X Assuming verbal consent is enough.
X Confusing 'up to' the boundary with 'astride'.
X Not documenting the neighbours condition before starting (Schedule of Condition).
X Assuming access rights to neighbours land.
Serving a section 1 notice doesn't give you a party wall award or access rights, but it does give you a simple legal record that you've followed the act which helps reduce risk of neighbour disputes.
Removing a Chimney
Common Misconceptions
'Its on my side so I can just remove it' X Not if its bonded to the party wall
'We both use different flues so its separate' X Often still structurally interlocked
'I don't need an award just a notice' X Once the neighbour dissents, you must have an award.
'I only need to give a months notice' X Section 2 works require 2 months notice unlike section 1 and 6. This is because the Act includes a mechanism for counter notices to be served by the neighbour.
Removing a chimney breast is almost always notifiable section 2(2)g . The party wall award provides structural protection , access rights , and damage resolution - making it once of the clearest examples of why the act exists
Converting a Loft ?
Common Misconceptions
'Its internal so not notifiable' X False - cutting into a shared wall is notifiable even if you don't touch the neighbours side of the wall.
'I can just insert beams without telling them' X That's technically cutting into the wall and so notifiable under s.2(2)F
'Its the builders job' X The building owner (client) is legally responsible for notice compliance
'We'll deal with it later' X Surveyors cannot back date the notice - serving notice must precede the work. No notice no Act.
Loft conversions almost always involve notifiable works under the Act. typically, inserting beams into, or raising the party wall. Serving notice under section 2 ensures the work is lawful, the structure is protected , and any damage or disputes are dealt with under a clear statutory process.
Basement or Development ?
Top 5 basement Party Wall mistakes
1. Starting without notice - Excavation triggers the Act; starting early risks injunctions
2. Wrong or incomplete notice - Basements usually need Sections 2 & 6; missing details can invalidate it.
3. Ignoring temporary works - Under pinning must be carefully planned; vague method statements slow down the award process as surveyors need full details to approve safe construction.
4.Skipping schedule of condition - Without documenting the neighbours property beforehand, its hard to resolve or defend against damage claims.
5. Assuming access rights - Legal access to underpinning or install temporary supports requires Section 8 of the Act; without an Award , stepping onto neighbours land is trespass.
CONTACT US
We’d love to hear from you! Leave us a message and we’ll call you back, or give us a ring on 0203 633 1968 for a free consultation.
Opening hours: Weekdays, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
We aim to respond as quickly as possible and look forward to helping you.
