In many of our towns and cities most buildings are joined by party walls and party structures. Semi-detached or terraced houses, flats or commercial and industrial units all have shared partitions, walls and foundations.
The Party Wall Act came into force in July 1997 and extended party wall legislation to the whole of England and Wales. It applies not only to party walls but also to party structures e.g. the floors which separate flats and maisonettes; and to excavations going to a lower level than the foundations of an adjoining property (within prescribed distances).
The Act can apply equally to works to a shared structure or simply building a new boundary wall.
Who we advise
Anyone who is likely to have an issue with a party wall so this generally includes surveyors; Party wall surveyors acting as such under the Party Wall Act; architects and engineers; housebuilders; building contractors of all kinds; commercial developers; registered social landlords and local authorities; and private householders.
