Party Wall Advice

Taylor Mitchell are Chartered Surveyors based in Cambridge. We offer residential surveying services throughout Cambridgeshire but also cover parts of Essex and Hertfordshire including the towns of Saffron Walden, Stanstead and Bishops Stortford.

We provide a range of surveying services including party wall advice and RICS Home Surveys. If you are in the process of purchasing a property, we can prepare both Level 2 (Homebuyer) and Level 3 (Building Survey) reports. Please call us on 01799 543532 to discuss which would be most suitable.

This page is where we answer party wall questions from the owners of Cambridgeshire properties. You will find over a hundred such queries below relating to party wall surveyors, fees, notices and party wall awards covering every type of dispute. You are welcome to submit a query via surveying@taylor-mitchell.co.uk.

I am acting as the Adjoining Owner’s Surveyor and there is a Dispute over my Fees. How will the Third Surveyor Resolve this?

Question I am acting as a surveyor for the Adjoining Owner concerning a residential party wall matter. The other party is in dispute with me concerning my fees. I am happy for the matter to be placed in the hands of the agreed Third Surveyor but they are saying that if my fees are reduced by the Third Surveyor the adjoining owner must pay any ... Read more >>

Categories: Adjoining Owners, Fees, Surveyors

Our Neighbour is attempting to build a ‘Party Wall’ to restrict us from laying the Foundations for our Extension. Can he stop us building the Extension by using this act if we have Planning Permission?

Question We have recently been awarded planning permission to build a two storey extension to the side and rear of our property. During the planning process our neighbours objected to us building up to the boundary (not on the boundary) however this objection was not upheld. On hearing that the planning has been passed our neighbour has ... Read more >>

Categories: Adjoining Owners, Notices, Rights of Owners

We own a Semi-Detached House and have Planning Permission to erect a Single Storey Extension built on our own Land. Do we need to Serve Notice?

Question We own a semi-detached house and have planning permission to erect a single storey extension to our narrow kitchen. We originally applied to build the extension to the boundary but the adjoining neighbours objected as it was close to the boundary. The neighbours had previously built a single story extension 900mm from the ... Read more >>

Categories: Adjoining Owners, Notices, Rights of Owners

We are in the Process of a Buying a House. During the Survey Stage, it came to light that the Owner of the Property had Previously Removed the Chimney Breasts.

Question We are in the process of a buying a house. During the survey stage, it came to light that the owner of the property had previously removed the chimney breasts in the living room and bedroom on the party wall. He then, without permission, attached brackets to the party wall to help support the remaining chimney stack. A structural ... Read more >>

Categories: Adjoining Owners, Rights of Owners

I am planning a Loft Extension, with my Neighbours looking to extend their Kitchen at a Later Date: What are the Implications under the Party Wall Act ?

Question I live in a terrace house and was planning on commencing work on a loft conversion in the next 3-4 weeks so have asked my neighbours to sign a party wall agreement. One of neighbours as refused to sign this. He has not stated any issue with the actual work I plan to carry out, but has told me he wants to extend his kitchen flush up to ... Read more >>

Categories: Adjoining Owners, Fees, Notices, Party Wall Awards, Rights of Owners

I believe my Neighbours have Destabilised our Boundary wall and are undertaking a rear Extension. Am I eligible for a Party Wall Award?

Question I believe my neighbours have destabilised my boundary wall by cutting down my ivy hedge from their side. This wall screens my house from theirs. They are building an extention right up to my boundary. Am I eligible for a Party Wall Award & how do I go about it please ? Answer If the foundations to the new extension involve ... Read more >>

Categories: Adjoining Owners, Party Wall Awards, Rights of Owners

I have received a Letter form my Adjoining Owners’ Surveyor informing me of his Fees which are £170.00 per Hour plus vat. In my Opinion this is Excessive. What are my Options?

Question I am building a single storey extension within 1.0 metres of my Adjoining Owners’ garage. I have served notice and appointed a surveyor. Unfortunately, my neighbour has opted to appoint his own surveyor. I have received a letter form my Adjoining Owners’ surveyor informing me of his fees which are £170.00 per hour plus vat. In my ... Read more >>

Categories: Adjoining Owners, Fees, Surveyors