subject: Party Wall London - A Quick Guide [print this page] You've got some fantastic ideas to help you transform your London property and increase its value but the work involves making changes to a party wall. If you want to make any major alterations to a party wall then you must give notice to your neighbours and gain their permission, otherwise your dream of a perfect London home could soon turn into a nightmare.
For example, you need to let your neighbours know if you want to increase the height or thickness of a joint party wall to build an extension or convert an area. You also need to notify neighbours if you intend to do anything that could affect the foundations of their London property or you plan to underpin a party wall to make it load bearing.
To comply with the law you need to write to the affected neighbour or property owner a minimum of two months before the work is due to start and show proof, such as recorded delivery or an independent witness, that you have served notice. Party Wall legislation also decrees that if you have a London flat you also need to check your lease for details of what work you can carry out. Then you will have to write to the freeholder for advice and permission.
If the decision goes against you, don't panic. Under party wall legislation you have 14 days to make a county court appeal, at which point you may want to reconsider whether this is the right type of improvement you want to make on your London home.
If your neighbours fail to respond to your party wall plans, don't just assume that it's okay to go full steam ahead with the work on your London home as this will put the situation into dispute. If things do move to a dispute stage then it's time to employ the services of a surveyor who will decide 'yes' or 'no' on the party wall work you have planned.
If there is a dispute then it's time to employ the services of a surveyor who will decide 'yes' or 'no' on the party wall work you want to carry out.
Party Wall legislation also stipulates that if you have a London flat you should check your lease for details of what work you can carry out. You will have to write to the freeholder for advice and permission too. Make sure you gain a written response within 14 days. Don't rely on verbal agreement as any party wall work on your London home will not be covered legally and this could work against you at a later date.
Even if you get a 'yes' on your party wall work do bear in mind that neighbours can make jobs that affect their property very difficult to carry out, so really do your utmost to smooth things over and get work on your London home approved by them first. It will make life so much easier in the long run.
