The Party Wall etc Act 1996 came into force in April 1997, extending previously-existing legislation for London
to the whole of England and Wales, albeit with some significant differences.
The Act makes provisions with respect to party walls and excavation and construction in proximity to adjacent buildings
or structures; provides owners of buildings with both rights and obligations to adjacent owners; encompasses the requirement
to serve appropriate notices and counter-notices, the issuing of appropriate consents; the appointment and duties of surveyors
to determine disputes arising under the auspices of the Act; and matters of compensation.
Hipwell Consulting is able to act either in the capacity of a Single Joint Surveyor, or as a Surveyor for any of the parties involved.
The appointment is a statutory one, in that the surveyor/s is/are appointed solely to ensure that the requirements of the Act are satisfied:
it is not a partisan appointment to defend one party’s interests over that of another.
Further information regarding the Act can be found at www.partywalls.org.uk.
