A surveyor is a professional who knows about the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, which is a UK law that controls construction work on or near party walls, boundary walls, and excavations near neighbouring buildings. Either the owner of the building or the owner of the building next door can hire a party wall surveyor to help solve any problems that may come up as a result of the proposed work. Their main job is to figure out how the proposed work will affect the party wall or neighbouring property and make sure that the work is done in a way that is safe and doesn’t cause any extra damage or trouble.
The surveyors can also make party wall agreements, which are legal documents that spell out the rights and responsibilities of each party in relation to the work. In addition to their technical knowledge, a surveyors also have great communication and negotiation skills. They act as a neutral third party between the building owner and the neighbouring owner and try to find a solution that works for both parties.
Responsibilities of a Party Wall Surveyor
Party wall surveyors may have different duties according to the circumstances, but in general, they are responsible for the following:
- Evaluation of the effects of the proposed work: The surveyor should check the property and evaluate the effects of the proposed work on the party wall or adjacent property.
- Preparing and serving party wall notices: The surveyor should prepare and serve the appropriate party wall notices on behalf of the building owner.
- Choosing a party wall award: The surveyor should assist the building owner and the adjoining owner in choosing a party wall award. In relation to the proposed works, this document outlines each party’s rights and obligations.
- Doing a schedule of conditions: Before the work starts, the surveyor can prepare a schedule of conditions, which is a thorough report of the party walls or the nearby property’s state. This can be used to evaluate any possible harm sustained during the construction.
- Handling disputes: The surveyor should act as a neutral third party and try to settle any disagreements that might occur during the work between the building owner and the adjoining owner.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a surveyor is a professional who is an expert on the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. He or she is hired by either the building owner or the neighbouring owner to help settle any disagreements that may come up because of the proposed work. They are in charge of figuring out how the proposed work will affect the neighbours, making and serving party wall notices, agreeing on a party wall award, carrying out a schedule of conditions, and settling any disputes that may come up during the works.
Overall, a party wall surveyor London is very important because they make sure that any construction work that might affect party walls or neighbouring properties is done safely, responsibly, and in a way that respects the rights of everyone involved.
