What happens if you don't comply with the Party Wall Act?
Failing to comply with the Party Wall Act can result in legal disputes, costly delays, and financial liability for damages. Ignoring the Act may lead to court injunctions, higher legal fees, and strained neighbour relations, making it crucial to follow proper procedures.
What Happens If You Don’t Comply with the Party Wall Act? Legal Risks and Consequences
Failing to comply with the Party Wall Act can lead to serious legal and financial consequences for the building owner. If you start construction work without serving the required notice to your neighbour or obtaining a Party Wall Agreement, your neighbour can seek a court injunction to stop the work.
This can lead to costly delays and potentially force you to halt construction until the proper procedures are followed. Additionally, failing to comply can result in legal disputes, where you may be held responsible for any damage caused to your neighbour’s property during the work.
Moreover, if you proceed without following the Party Wall Act, you could be liable for the full cost of repairing any damage, and your neighbour could sue for compensation. In some cases, ignoring the Act could also lead to higher legal fees and potential penalties.
By not complying, you risk not only damaging your relationship with your neighbour but also delaying your project and increasing costs. It is essential to serve the proper notice and secure a Party Wall Agreement to ensure the work is done legally and fairly, protecting both your property and your neighbour’s.
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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