Understand the legal obligations under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 when undertaking building works in London. Learn what triggers a Party Wall Notice, when a Party Wall Agreement is needed, and how Hourican Associates can help.
Understand the legal obligations under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 when undertaking building works in London. Learn what triggers a Party Wall Notice, when a Party Wall Agreement is needed, and how Hourican Associates can help.
What Is a Party Wall Agreement?
A Party Wall Agreement is a legal document prepared by a Party Wall Surveyor under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 to regulate building works that affect shared walls or boundaries.
When Do You Need a Party Wall Agreement?
Type of Work
Description
Notice Needed?
Agreement Required if Dispute?
Loft conversion
Inserting beams into a shared wall
Yes
Yes
Basement excavation
Within 3 or 6 metres of neighbour
Yes
Yes
Rear/side extension
Up to or astride boundary line
Yes
Yes
Chimney removal
On a shared party wall
Yes
Yes
Minor internal works
Not affecting structure
No
No
Flowchart: Do You Need a Party Wall Notice?
Legal Framework
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies throughout England and Wales, including London, and outlines specific rights and procedures for work affecting shared structures.
Disclaimer: All cost estimates are indicative only and may vary depending on the nature, scale and location of your project. Legal obligations under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 should always be confirmed with a qualified party wall surveyor. For formal advice, we recommend booking a consultation.
As a specialist Party Wall surveyor, Richard Hourican will protect your interests during building works.
Are you planning a building project – perhaps an extension, loft conversion or basement – that is on or adjacent to your property’s boundary line? Or has a ‘Party Wall’ notice dropped on the doormat informing you of a neighbour’s impending works?
It’s essential to understand all the implications of building plans. If you don’t, it could cost thousands. Our job is to ensure everything is done correctly – and that it doesn’t!
We had the pleasure of working with Richard Hourican and his team at Hourican & Associates for our party wall agreement, and the experience was nothing short of exceptional. From start to finish, Richard exhibited a level of professionalism and expertise that surpassed our expectations.
Communication was a standout aspect of our collaboration with Hourican & Associates. Richard kept us informed every step of the way, ensuring that we were always in the loop regarding the progress of our party wall agreement. Any queries or concerns we had were promptly addressed, contributing to a seamless and transparent process.
The timeliness of their work is commendable. Unlike some experiences we've heard about, there was no unnecessary delay or dragging out of the process. Richard and his team efficiently navigated the complexities of our party wall agreement, demonstrating a commitment to meeting deadlines without compromising on the quality of their work.
In summary, if you're in need of a reliable, communicative, and efficient team to handle your party wall agreement, look no further than Hourican & Associates. Richard's professionalism and the team's dedication to client satisfaction make them a top choice in their field. We wholeheartedly recommend their services and would gladly work with them again in the future.
Robert Lines
31 Jan 2024
Hourican Associates handled a complex set of party wall agreements for us with a range of stakeholders including both leasehold and freehold owners. From our first conversation, Richard's vast knowledge of this process was evident; he explained the whole process clearly and answered all my questions thoroughly. Communication was extremely prompt the whole way through with Richard always making time to chat on the phone to keep us updated. I would highly recommend Hourican Associates.
Marwan Bateh
26 Jan 2024
The team at Hourican Associates were exceptional. They were very helpful professional in handling my party wall consents. Thank you! Highly recommend them to anyone.
Chris V
27 Nov 2023
Absolutely first class. Helpful and kind. I would very much recommend Hourican Associates.
V FitzGerald
18 Nov 2023
Richard is fantastic, understands the situation and helps sort the PWA quickly. He’s also very responsive. We have used Hourican twice now and would definitely use again.
Victoria Chapman
03 Nov 2023
Had a brilliant experience working with Richard Hourican. The service was amazing and he went above and beyond to explain everything to me and also to make sure that things were completed as soon as possible. Overall I was so extremely happy and would recommend Richard and Hourican Associates to everyone!
