Party Wall Surveyor Walthamstow

Walthamstow, a vibrant district in North East London, offers a diverse array of housing options. The area's real estate landscape beautifully combines traditional charm with modern convenience. The centre of Walthamstow features stunning Victorian and Edwardian houses, often adorned with well-maintained gardens and intricate architectural details, reflecting its rich heritage. Walthamstow provides a variety of housing styles, including charming period cottages, terraced houses, and contemporary developments. Many properties are nestled in the scenic surroundings of nearby green spaces like Walthamstow Marshes and Lloyd Park, while others are conveniently located near the bustling town amenities. Walthamstow's housing market caters to a wide range of preferences, making it a sought-after location for those seeking a lively, character-filled, and well-connected place to call home.

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When carrying out building work close to the boundary or on a party wall in Walthamstow, the Party Wall Act may apply. For example, if you are planning a loft conversion, it's common for steel beams to be integrated into the party wall along with padstones or steel bearing plates. It is also common to raise the party wall, often in timber frame with vertical tile hanging or other types of cladding, which may require stripping off roof tiles to build a dormer. These situations necessitate serving a party wall notice to your neighbor.

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Another frequent building project in Walthamstow is adding an extension either to the rear or the side of a property. Let’s start with the foundations. If they will be deeper than your neighbor's foundations and within 3 meters of them, you will need to serve a Section 6 Party Wall Excavation Notice one month before you intend to commence work. This notice must be accompanied by a plan and section drawing of the excavation and the walls that will be built on top of it.

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If the extension will be built up to the boundary, or as the Party Wall Act refers to it, the line of junction, there are two options. The wall can either be built astride the boundary, or on the building owner's side but up to the boundary. You cannot build a party wall astride the boundary without your neighbor's permission. You would serve a Section 1(2) notice on them, but if they dissent or do not reply, you would have to build the wall on your side of the boundary.

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You may choose to serve just a Section 1(5) notice to build on your side of the boundary. In this case, if the neighbour does not reply, there is no automatic dissent, and you can proceed with the construction on your land. When a neighbour dissents to a notice, both parties must appoint a party wall surveyor to resolve the issue under the Party Wall Act. Typically, the surveyor or surveyors will visit the adjoining property to take a schedule of condition and then serve a party wall award on both neighbours.

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For smaller projects, such as domestic ones mentioned above, it’s often enough to appoint one surveyor as the agreed surveyor for both parties. However, for more complex projects, especially those involving basements, you may want to appoint two surveyors, one for each party.

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Whenever two surveyors are appointed, a third surveyor, who is more experienced, must be selected by the two surveyors. This third surveyor often remains unaware of their selection unless called upon by one of the surveyors or the homeowners to resolve a dispute that the initial two surveyors cannot resolve on their own.

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If you are planning building work near your boundary and your property is in Walthamstow, feel free to contact Bluegrass Surveying as your local party wall surveyors. We provide free and impartial help and advice, serve party wall notices for you, and act as your party wall surveyor should it be necessary.