When undertaking any building work which involves a shared wall, it is necessary to comply with the guidelines set forth within the Party Wall Act. This is to ensure that any work carried out does not impact the structural integrity of the adjoining properties, and that any potential issues are addressed in advance.

To comply with the requirements of the Party Wall Act, it is necessary to obtain a Party Wall Agreement. This is a legal agreement that outlines the work to be carried out and ensures that any potential issues are addressed. It is important to adhere to the timeline for a Party Wall Agreement to ensure that the building work can commence as planned.

Step 1: Determine if a Party Wall Agreement is required

The first step in obtaining a Party Wall Agreement is to determine if it is required. If the building work involves a shared wall, then a Party Wall Agreement is necessary. The agreement is required for any work that affects a party wall, a boundary wall, or a structure shared with a neighbour, such as a garden wall.

Step 2: Serve a notice to your neighbour

Once it has been determined that a Party Wall Agreement is required, the next step is to serve a notice to your neighbour. The notice must be served in writing, and it should include details of the work to be carried out and when it is scheduled to take place.

Step 3: Wait for your neighbour`s response

After serving the notice, your neighbour has 14 days to respond. They can either agree to the proposed work or dissent. If they agree, then the building work can proceed, and a Party Wall Agreement is not required. However, if your neighbour dissents or fails to respond, then a Party Wall Agreement is necessary.

Step 4: Appoint a surveyor

If a Party Wall Agreement is required, then it is necessary to appoint a surveyor. Both you and your neighbour can appoint separate surveyors, or you can agree to appoint a single surveyor to act on behalf of both parties. The surveyor(s) will prepare the Party Wall Agreement, which outlines the work to be carried out, any potential issues, and the steps to mitigate them.

Step 5: Agree and serve the Party Wall Agreement

Once a Party Wall Agreement has been prepared, both you and your neighbour must agree and sign it. The surveyor(s) will then serve the agreement, which outlines the rights and obligations of both parties. The agreement is legally binding, which means that both you and your neighbour are obligated to follow its terms.

Step 6: Commence building work

Once the Party Wall Agreement is in place and all necessary permissions have been obtained, you can commence building work. It is important to adhere to the terms of the agreement and to keep your neighbour informed of any potential issues or changes to the building work.

In conclusion, obtaining a Party Wall Agreement is a necessary step when undertaking building work involving a shared wall. It is important to adhere to the timeline for a Party Wall Agreement to ensure that the building work can proceed as planned and to avoid any potential issues with your neighbour. By following the steps outlined above and obtaining the necessary permissions, you can ensure that your building work is carried out smoothly and without any disputes.