How Will the Party Wall Act Affect the Installation of My Conservatory?
Why you can't just go right ahead and build your conservatory
Occasionally you'll notice a news story in regards to a property dispute between neighbours. This is often anything from the height of a hedge between them to the building of a conservatory. When you are considering the latter, be aware of the Party Wall Act 1996. Making sure you refer to this before building can save an awful lot of hassle later. Here is a quick guide to the main element points...
What is it?
The Party Wall Act 1996 regulates what you can and cannot do when building either on part of, or close to, a neighbour's property. You should refer to it if you are planning to build a conservatory which would involve:
? an existing wall or structure shared with another property
? a free of charge standing wall up to or astride the boundary to your neighbour's property
? excavating near a neighbouring building to create your foundations
The fence that's not actually a fence
The term Party Wall Fence actually refers to a wall which doesn't form section of a building but does straddle the boundary between you as well as your neighbour. If Learn more planning to build against this, or excavate within three metres of it, there's action you need to take.
An important notice
At least two months before work starts, you must give your neighbour the official notice, containing information such as for example:
? name, address, and owners of the house
? statement that it's being served beneath the terms of the act
? complete description and proposed start date of work
? date of serving the notice
? what happens when there is a dispute
Just having a chat with your neighbour isn't good enough. They can agree to work starting earlier, but need not. Your builder or architect, making use of their experience, should deal with this for you personally. Your neighbours have 14 days to provide written permission or register dissent. Should they don't reply, you proceed to...
A Party Wall Dispute
A surveyor or surveyors is appointed to determine a good and impartial award. Each party can appoint their own or agree to just one single. After the making of an award, if this doesn't settle the dispute, all parties can appeal to a County Court.
Once agreement is reached
All work must adhere to the notice. Keep https://postheaven.net/heatmenu2/the-party-wall-act ; if you later sell the house, a prospective owner may wish to check it.
Final words
This is usually a very basic guide. There's greater detail in a free 42-page booklet from the Department for Communities and MUNICIPALITY. If all this seems a hassle, it's surely infinitely better the alternative!
Ultraframe are specialist designers and manufacturers of conservatories and orangeries