Party Wall Award

A party wall award is a legal document prepared by party wall surveyor that focuses on how things are to be built around the party wall, not to undermine the party wall which can cause damage to both properties.

On larger scale jobs we would expect a checking engineer to review the documents and provide comments on the structure. Detailed architectural sections along the party wall are mandatory.

The award typically includes a record of the adjoining property’s condition before work begins, access arrangements for surveyors to inspect the works, and provisions for resolving any disputes or damage claims. It also allocates costs for the preparation of the award itself.

The award will annex drawings which are to built to avoid disputes later on if the plans have been deviated from the surveyors must be informed so the correct documents can be updated.

This legally binding document provides protection for both the building owner undertaking the work and the adjoining owners whose property might be affected by ensuring all parties understand their rights and responsibilities.

This depends on several factors. Generally speaking, a party wall award costs between £700 and £1,500 per adjoining owner (you might be serving multiple owners in a flatted building). The number of adjacent properties involved and the extent of the proposed work are the cost factors that must be taken into account.

• The number of adjacent properties involved;
• The scope of the proposed works
• If specialized structural engineering input is necessary; for example temporary works design, piling engineer, geo technical engineers, the extent of the foundation on or near the party wall.
• How long it takes to negotiate and complete the award

Simple projects with helpful neighbors are usually at the lower end of this price range. Complex projects with a number of nearby owners may cost more. By offering detailed quotes that are customized to your specific situation and transparent fee schedules, our company ensures that you are aware of all costs up front.

A party wall award is mandatory unless your neighbours consent to the notice and therefore only a schedule of condition report is required, proceeding without a party wall award can causes serious consequences to both properties. You neighbour can apply for a stop order until such party wall awards are in place, other issues can be

In the absence of pre-agreed terms, you might be held accountable for any harm done to nearby properties.

Receiving an award retroactively after work has begun is usually more difficult and costly; it can seriously harm neighborly relations and complicate future negotiations.

Compliance with the Party Wall Act is strongly advised in order to prevent these possible repercussions and guarantee that your project moves forward without encountering any legal issues. The Act offers significant protections for all parties concerned.

No, you don’t need a party wall award for all construction work. It only applies when you’re proposing to work on shared walls/ party structure or digging near your neighbour’s property.

 Building on the line of junction or right at the boundary

• Cutting into a shared wall or a Party Structure 
• Digging foundations within 3-6 meters of next door
• Doing major structural work to a Party wall 
• Converting your loft where it affects the party wall
• Inserting any form of weathering IE lead flashing, DPC or DPM into a Party Wall
• Cutting projections away of a chimney stack 

 You won’t need one for:

• Regular internal work like new kitchens or bathrooms as long as structural works are not being proposed to area of the Party Wall
• Fixing cracks or repainting
• Installing cabinets or shelves
• Normal garden work
• Replacing windows (unless you’re enlarging openings)
• Removal of non load bearing walls

Most people find out they need one when they start planning bigger projects. If your builder shrugs when you ask about it, get a second opinion – it’s better than having your neighbour halt your work halfway through or have an injunction to stop the works.

To get started with a party wall award, there is some information your party wall surveyor will need to assist. First and foremost they will need your property details, some client tend to just give a postcode from quote purposes, this is a strange process the Party wall surveyors will require your property details ready, including the full addresses of both your property and the neighbouring properties that share the party wall or boundary. They need this to do land registry checks on all the properties to see how many party wall you will need these drawings are essential for the surveyor to understand the scope and impact of your work.

A clear description of your construction activities is crucial, particularly focusing on aspects that affect the party wall or boundary. Your proposed timeline, including start date and estimated duration, helps everyone understand when disruption might occur and allows neighbours to prepare accordingly.

Contact information for all adjoining property owners must be provided, as they’ll need to be formally notified about your work. Similarly, include details for your builder or main contractor who will be carrying out the construction, as the surveyor may need to communicate with them directly about technical aspects.

Photographs documenting the current condition of the party wall and relevant areas are invaluable – they establish a baseline before work begins and can help resolve any disputes about damage later. If there have been any previous party wall awards or agreements relating to the properties, provide copies of these as they may contain relevant conditions.

Finally, be prepared to discuss any access you might need to neighboring properties during the work, and have details of your contractor’s insurance and any specific party wall insurance you have in place. Having all this information organized before approaching a party wall surveyor will help streamline the process and potentially reduce delays in getting your award sorted.