Party Wall Surveyors Lewisham

Murrins Chartered Surveyors provide expert party wall surveying services to property owners in Lewisham and the surrounding areas. All our surveyors are highly experienced members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and have undertaken hundreds of party wall matters.

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Expert Party Wall Surveying Services in Lewisham

Murrins Surveyors provide Party Wall Surveying services to property owners in Lewisham and the surrounding areas. Our team of experience chartered surveyors have decades of experience in dealing with party wall matters, whether you are planning to undertake work, or have received a notice from a neighbour.

Why Choose Murrins for Your Project in Lewisham?

When undertaking a construction or renovation project in Lewisham that may involve adjoining properties, it’s crucial to understand the legal framework set out in the Party Wall (etc) Act 1996. This is where Murrins Chartered Surveyors comes in. We specialise in providing comprehensive Party Wall Surveying services tailored to your unique requirements. Here’s why you should choose us as your trusted party wall surveyors:

Expertise in Party Wall Matters

Our team has a deep understanding of the Party Wall (etc) Act 1996, ensuring that your project complies with all legal requirements. We stay up-to-date with any changes in legislation to provide you with accurate and reliable guidance.

Local knowledge

As a local firm, we have a strong understanding of the Lewisham area and its property landscape. This local knowledge allows us to offer solutions specifically tailored to property owners in Lewisham.

Comprehensive party wall service

Our party wall surveying services in Lewisham encompass every aspect of the process, from serving party wall notices to drafting legally binding Party Wall Awards (Agreements). We also provide detailed schedules of condition and expert advice to ensure a seamless project experience.

Get in touch

If you have a project that might involve the Party Wall Act, or have received a notice, or if you would like free impartial advice relating to a party wall matter, contact us now to speak to an expert.

Party Wall Quote in Lewisham

To make an enquiry about a party wall matter, or for free impartial advice, contact us to speak to an expert today.

Call: 020 7112 8877

Our Party Wall Services in Lewisham

We provide a complete party wall services, ensuring your obligations under the Act are met.

Party Wall Notices

We take care of the administrative aspects by assisting you in serving the necessary party wall notices promptly and efficiently. This step is crucial for initiating the dialogue with your neighbours and ensuring transparency.

Schedules of condition

To safeguard your interests and protect your property, our meticulous surveys document the existing conditions before any construction work begins. These schedules of condition serve as a reference point, preventing disputes down the line.

Party Wall Awards / Agreements

Our experienced team excels in the negotiation and drafting of legally binding Party Wall Awards. These agreements outline the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved, providing clarity and protection throughout your project.

Expert advice

Navigating the intricacies of party wall matters can be daunting. At Murrins, we offer expert advice to guide you through the process. Our goal is to ensure full compliance with the Party Wall (etc) Act 1996 and address any concerns or questions you may have.

What works are covered by the Party Wall Act?

The are three primary categories of works which are ‘notifiable’ under the Party Wall Act. Each has its own section under the Act, and these are detailed below, including how much notice must be given before the proposed works can start.

Work to a party wall or structure:

Below details notifiable works relating to party structures. Note that not all notifiable works have been included, but the most common works have been.

Section of Act	Notifiable Work	Notice Period
Section 2(a)	Underpin, thicken or raise a party wall. For example, to underpin or raise a parapet wall.	2 Months
Section 2(b)	Where a wall is defective, carry out repairs, or demolish and rebuild it.	2 Months
Section 2(e)	Demolish a party wall that is not sufficiently strong, or high enough, for the intended new building or extension.	2 Months
Section 2(f)	Cut into a party wall for any purpose, including inserting a damp proof course or steel beam.	2 Months
Section 2(g)	To cut away projections from a wall that over hang your land. Such as removing a chimney breast.	2 Months
Section 2(h)	Cut away projections over your land to the extent necessary to erect a wall.	2 Months
Section 2(j)	To cut into the wall of an adjoining property, which is not a shared wall, in order to insert a flashing.	2 Months
Section 2(n)	To expose a section of a party wall or structure that was previously enclosed.	2 Months

The below table details the notifiable works that are covered by the Act in connection with building new walls on the line of junction with another property.

Section of Act	Notifiable Work	Notice Period
Section 1(2)	To construct a new wall on the boundary line with another property, which is partly on both owners' lands.	1 Month
Section 1(5)	To construct a new wall on the boundary line with another property, which is wholly on your own land.	1 Month

New walls on the boundary line:

Excavating near a neighbour's property:

The table below details where excavation works are notifiable under the Party Wall Act.

Section of Act	Notifiable Work	Notice Period
Section 6(1)	To excavate within 3m of an adjoining property of structure and to a deeper depth than its foundations.	1 Month
Section 6(2)	To excavate within 6m of an adjoining property or structure and to a depth that would intersect with a 45 degree line drawn downwards from the bottom of its foundations. Typically this only applies to piled foundations.	1 Month

What is the party wall process & how long does it take?

The Party Wall Act outlines the framework, processes, and timescales for dealing with party wall matters. The timeline below gives an outline of the critical party wall process.

Time required: 1 - 2 Days

1. Service of Notices

It is a requirement of the Act that the Building Owner serves compliant party wall notices on affected Adjoining Owners. Due to the complexity of identifying all notifiable work correctly, party wall surveyors are usually appointed to prepare and serve the notices, however anyone can serve the notice. Notice periods are 2 months for party structure works, and 1 month of line of junction and adjacent excavation works.

Time required: 1 - 2 Days

Time required: 14 - 24 Days

2. Response to notice

Once your neighbour has received the notice, they have 14 days to respond to it. The three options open to them in responding are:

Consent: In this case the works can proceed and nothing further is required under the Act. With that said, it is still advisable to have a schedule of condition undertaken of their property.
Dissent and appoint their own surveyor: In this case both the Building Owner's and Adjoining Owner's surveyors will act together to agree a party wall award. The surveyors must act impartially, despite being appointed by an individual owner. The notifiable works cannot start until the award have been served on the owners by the surveyors.
Dissent and agree to share a single agreed surveyor: In this case a single 'Agreed Surveyor' will act impartially on behalf of both the owners to prepare a party wall award. This option is recommended only where the works are of a relatively simple nature.

Note that if no response is received from the adjoining owner after 14 days, then they are deemed to have automatically dissented. In such case, a letter will typically be sent to them giving them 10 days to appoint a surveyor, otherwise the Building Owner can appoint one for them.

Time required: 14 - 24 Days

Time required: Typically 5 - 10 days following notice response.

3. Schedule of Condition

Once the surveyors have been appointed, they will undertake a schedule of condition of the adjoining property. This will act as a record of its condition before the works start so that in the event of any damage occurring, there is a clear written and photographic record

Time required: Typically 5 - 10 days following notice response.

Time required: Typically 3 - 6 weeks.

4. Party Wall Award

The appointed surveyors will then prepare a Party Wall Award. The award will determine any matters in dispute, and will also stipulate the timings and manner that the notifiable works must take place. It will also set out any rights to compensation and for access on to adjoining land.

Once the surveyor(s) has agreed the content of the award, they will sign it, and it will then be served on the owners. If they have any problem with the content of the award, they can appeal it in the County Court within 14 days, after which point the award becomes legally binding on both parties.

Subject to there being no contests in the County Court, the Building Owner can start the works covered in the award.

Time required: Typically 3 - 6 weeks.

Why choose Murrins Surveyors?

At Murrins Chartered Surveyors, we pride ourselves on our commitment to professionalism, attention to detail, and client satisfaction. Our dedication to quality extends beyond meeting the legal requirements of party wall matters. We are passionate about delivering a seamless and stress-free experience for our clients.

Our Process:

Our approach to party wall surveying in Lewisham is methodical and client-focused. Here’s what you can expect when you choose Murrins:

Initial Consultation: We begin by understanding the specifics of your project and your party wall requirements.
Assessment: Our team conducts a thorough assessment of your property and the adjoining properties to identify potential party wall issues.
Notice Service: If required, we help you serve the necessary party wall notices to your neighbours, initiating the process.
Schedules of Condition: Our experienced surveyors create detailed schedules of condition, documenting the existing state of your property to prevent disputes later.
Negotiation and Agreement: We engage in open and transparent discussions with all parties involved to reach mutually agreeable Party Wall Awards.
Completion: Our services continue until the project is complete, ensuring that all legal obligations are met and your property is protected.

Understanding Party Walls

Understanding party wall matters can be a complex and bewildering task. To shed light on this intricate subject, we recommend watching this informative video produced by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. This video offers valuable insights into party wall matters, providing clarity and enhancing your comprehension of this important aspect of many construction projects.

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Areas where we provide party wall surveying:

Murrins Surveyors also provide party wall surveying services in the following locations. Click on area to find out more about our party wall surveying services in your area.

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