Planning loft conversions is quite exciting. You can put your creativity and personalize the appearance of your property. Although it gets pretty thrilling after planning, and you might want to get to it instantly, specific issues might put a damper on the proceeding.
A Party wall agreement is the solution to every type of party wall issue. For getting into the project that might involve the adjoining property you shared with your neighbors, you have to get a party wall agreement for your extensions or loft conversion.
What Is Party Wall?
In a nutshell, party walls are the adjoining walls that you share with your adjacent neighbors. In simpler words, a wall that dispatches your house or property to your neighbor’s property is claimed as a party wall.
As party walls are supposed to be adjoining property, both parties hold a claim on it. Party walls can be of different types, including party fences, party structures, etc.
Before involving the party wall structure in the account of any construction project, both parties have to seek permission from the other party to avoid the legal pitfall. This legal permission leads to a party wall agreement loft conversion.
When You Need Party Wall Agreement?
There are different scenarios when you have to seek a party wall agreement for a loft conversions or any other of your project akin to this. According to the Party Wall Act 1996, you are supposed to go for a party wall agreement if you intend to carry out the following work;
- To cut into a wall or loft conversion.
- Change the height or thickness of the wall.
- Insert a damp-proof course all over the party wall.
- Demolish, destroy or build the party wall again.
- Underpin the thickness of the party wall or protect by putting flashing above higher.
What Is Party Wall Act?
Party Wall Act 1996 is designed to solve the party wall issues legally. This act offers building owners right beyond the usual scope of common law rights. From planning the loft conversion or other relevant projects to pinpointing the timing and duties, Party Wall Act 1996 regulates everything to resolve the dispute between two parties.
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The Party Wall Act was designed to resolve pretty complex disputes and issues involving party walls or party structures. In a nutshell, this act offers reliability to adjoin owners and save their rights legally. If you are planning for loft conversions, according to the Party Wall Act 1996, you are supposed to get your neighbor on the mutual ground before starting the project.
What Is Party Wall Agreement?
A Party wall agreement is the final step of party wall disputes. The quicker you get the said agreement, the easier it will be for you to start your loft conversion or other relevant projects.
A party wall agreement for a loft conversion is a neighbor’s written consent who holds adjoin property with you to carry on the construction or renovation projects. The neighbor might want different conditions, including timing, working manner, labor, project planning, etc. The conditions can vary from project to project,
For having a party wall agreement, you need to fill in specific information regarding you and the project. According to the Party Wall Act 1996, for having a party wall agreement for loft conversions, you are supposed to add the following information,
- Your name and address.
- Description of plan and drawing.
- Proposed starting date and timing.
- Detail description of your proposal regarding the project.
- Address the building or property where you are supposed to hold the project.
When Does Party Wall Agreement Not Required?
You can start your loft conversion project without any need for a party wall agreement if there’s no party wall or party structure. When there’s a party wall involved, you have to get a party wall agreement, and there’s no exception.
You can avoid getting the said agreement if the beam to support loft conversion is built for the sole purpose instead of inside the part wall. If you have a detached or a stand-alone house, you can have loft conversion without any agreement.
What If Party Wall Agreement Refused By Neighbor?
When you send Party Wall Notice to the adjoining owner of the party wall, three types of sections portray the response, including,
- Consent.
- Dissent and want to hire party wall surveyors.
- Dissent and want to hire a mutual surveyor.
After 14 days of not getting any notice’s response, it was claimed as a party wall dispute. To solve the conflict, you need Party Wall Award. You can get a party wall surveyor London to resolve the matter and start your project.
Bottom Line
Party wall issues can get ugly if you cannot handle them wisely. The surveyor can be the final escort in case of any dispute. You can hire the best party wall surveyors London to quickly get a party wall award for you without dragging the matter for months.
