Act History
01 – The Foundations
The Party Wall etc Act 1996 can be traced back to 1666, as a result of the Great Fire of London which resulted in a radical re-think of party wall construction to restrict the spread of fire between adjacent timber built properties in the future. Thereafter the London Building Acts came about, which set out a mechanism for resolving disputes. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is essentially a re-working of the 1939 Building Act that now covers all of England and Wales.
02 — Party Wall Act Summary
The Party Wall etc Act 1996 was designed to prevent and resolve disputes between owners of neighbouring properties in relation to work on, or close to, a party wall or structure. The aim is to ensure that Adjoining Owners do not suffer loss or damage to their property as a result of the building works.
To comply with the Act written Notice/s will need to be served, a physical schedule of condition undertaken by Surveyors and a subsequent ‘Award’ is drafted and then served upon the parties.
03 — Typical Works under The Act
These are some typical, but not exhaustive, examples of work that is likely to be covered by the Act:
- Cutting beams into a party wall as part of a loft conversion
- Removing chimney breasts that are attached to a party wall
- Excavating for the foundations to a new extension within 3m of a neighbouring or shared structure
- Underpinning a party wall to facilitate a basement extension
- General extensions
- Removal of internal walls
- Cutting into a party wall
- Roof alterations
- Garden landscaping
