How long does a party wall award take?
A Party Wall Award typically takes 4 to 6 weeks, but can take longer if disputes arise or multiple surveyors are involved. Delays often result from negotiations or a lack of response from the adjoining owner.
When Are Party Wall Surveys Necessary? Key Situations You Should Know
The time it takes to obtain a Party Wall Award depends on the complexity of the project and the level of cooperation between the parties involved. In straightforward cases where both the building owner and the adjoining owner agree to the work, the process can take around four to six weeks from the time the party wall notice is served.
During this period, the notice is issued, and if there are no disputes or delays, a surveyor (or surveyors, if both parties appoint their own) can prepare the Party Wall Award, outlining the scope of work and the protections for both properties.
However, if disputes arise or the adjoining owner does not initially respond to the notice, the process can take significantly longer, sometimes extending to several months.
The appointment of surveyors, site inspections, and the preparation of detailed reports can all add time. In more contentious cases where multiple surveyors are involved or where significant negotiations are required, the process may stretch beyond three months. Therefore, it’s crucial to plan ahead and serve the notice early to avoid project delays.
Director
Laurence Murrin BA (Hons) MRICS MFPWS
Director
Laurence Murrin BA (Hons) MRICS MFPWS
Director
Chris Belton BSc (Hons) MRICS
Director
Chris Belton BSc (Hons) MRICS
Director
Dan Griggs BSc (Hons) MRICS
Director
Dan Griggs BSc (Hons) MRICS
Director
Joe Bennett BSc (Hons) MRICS
Director
Joe Bennett BSc (Hons) MRICS
You are undertaking building works
- Check whether the Party Wall etc Act 1996 applies to your project
- Talk to your neighbours early, before serving Notice about your work. Keeping your Adjoining Owners (neighbours) informed
- Make sure your Notice is served properly, or else it will be invalid
- Serve Notice with plenty of time
- Don’t be tempted to start work until you have an agreement / Party Wall Award in place.
Received a Party Wall Notice? - We can help
- Most Adjoining Owners worry that their property will be damaged by the building works.
- Our role is to try and ensure that this does not happen by looking in detail at the proposals and designs and arranging proper working methods.
- Adjoining Owners are entitled to have their surveyor’s reasonable fees paid by the Building Owner.
- The fees must be both reasonable and justifiable.
Benefits of Hiring a Party Wall Surveyor
Engaging with a Party Wall Surveyor allows you to:
- Prevent delays getting agreements in place
- Receive expert advice
- Prevent legal disputes
- Record the condition of neighbours’ property prior to the works – preventing claims for damage
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