What if someone builds a wall around your property?

If someone builds a wall around your property without permission, it may be trespassing. Check your property boundaries and try to resolve it with the other party. If needed, consult a lawyer or involve local authorities if regulations are violated.

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Dealing with Unauthorised Walls Around Your Property: Know Your Rights

If someone builds a wall around your property without your permission, it can lead to significant legal and property disputes. It’s essential to understand your rights as a property owner in such a situation. Building a wall around someone else’s property can be considered trespassing or an encroachment on your land, violating property boundaries.

You should first review your property’s title deeds or boundary survey to confirm the legal boundaries of your land. If the wall crosses these boundaries, you may have grounds to take legal action, which could involve contacting a solicitor who specialises in property law. It’s also important to communicate with your neighbour or the party responsible to resolve the issue amicably before escalating to legal proceedings.

In some cases, the situation might involve easements or right of way issues, where a neighbouring property owner could claim they have a right to build a structure for access or other purposes. However, without legal documentation supporting these claims, such actions are generally not permitted.

Local building regulations and planning permissions also play a significant role in whether such construction is allowed. If the wall was constructed without following these regulations, you may be able to involve local authorities to have the wall removed. Protecting your property rights is crucial, and it’s always wise to seek professional legal advice if someone builds a wall around your property without your consent.

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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