Party Wall Survey Case Studies

Metcalfe Briggs Surveyors were instructed to act as Party Wall Surveyor for the proposed retrofit in a two storey terraced house in Becton.   The works entailed the introduction of a mezzanine floor in the roof space, requiring supporting beams from the party walls and raising of the roof, a party structure between the adjoined properties.

A party fence wall between two owners had become unstable due to the construction and lack of foundations. The Building Owner had decided to take the wall down and re-construct. However, a detailed design and agreement on the reinstatement works was required beforehand. Following detailed investigations by East Thames, an engineer and Metcalfe Briggs Surveyors, a proposed scheme for repair was agreed.

Acting for the Building Owner, six parties with a party wall interest were identified to either side of this Victorian house development into three flats. After serving Notices, three separate surveyors were appointed representing the Adjoining Owners.

As Building Owner, our District Council client wanted to demolish all buildings on two sites ready for redevelopment. Being surrounded by separate businesses, they were concerned to respect any Party Wall matters.

A mansard roofed new flat was to be added to the top of the conversion of this Victorian house. This required the use of a wall that had been previously raised by the adjoining property to enclose the new flat. As Building Owner’s surveyor we established this was a party wall.

Metcalfe Briggs Surveyors agreed a Party Wall Award with the Building Owner’s surveyor. Subsequently it was found that the Building Owner’s obligations had been breached. Unauthorised scaffold and building materials had been placed on the Adjoining Owner’s land and an access cut through a boundary wall from our client’s land.

A significant loft conversion was proposed to this semi-detached property. Being on good relations with his neighbour, the Building Owner wished a surveyor to act in a co-ordinated manner for both parties.

As Adjoining Owner’s surveyor our concern was that our client’s property and the occupying staff were fully protected before commencement of a major demolition and new development project that also involved deep piling. Together with the Building Owner’s surveyor a detailed schedule of condition of all internal walls, external elevations and the roof within 6 metres of their building were completed.

The Building Owner contacted Metcalfe Briggs Surveyors as he had received a query from his neighbour that the foundations excavated for the Building Owner’s extension contravened the 3 metre rule under the Party Wall Etc. Act 1996. The Act states that is a footing is dug within 3 metres of an adjoining property and is lower than the existing footings of the adjoining property, the Act applies.

In spite of a Party Wall Award being agreed, significant variations of the building works occurred by the Building Owner. This included building on our Adjoining Owner’s land and assuming the tenants of the flat above the development could use the Adjoining Owner’s land for access as the original pathway had been destroyed.