The process of completing the wall award for the party wall usually the final piece of the jigsaw to permit and start work on the site. However, the procedure leading to the point of completion can be delayed due to a variety of reasons, ranging from technical issues related to the planned works to the chosen surveyors holidays. It's therefore advised to begin as quickly as you can. But what is the ideal moment to begin the process of serving notice?

The Act provides for fixed notice periods dependent on the kind of the proposed work. One month for excavations adjacent to the boundary or the construction of new walls on the boundary, and two months for work that directly impacts the party structure. Notice periods are not important because the owner of the adjoining property is generally content for work to start once they've agreed and the chosen surveyors are solved all disputes and issued their award. In fact, the majority of templates assume this. There are two or three instances where adjoining owners have a reason specific to seeking to delay the works , for instance, an event in the garden or revision of an exam, so it's worthwhile to check. The surveyors can't extend notice periods unless are authorized to give notice.

It is nonetheless crucial that notice is given when it is possible , as the probable length of the process is not known until the adjacent owners react. How early in the process of planning could that be?

Only one of the 3 kinds of notices to party walls has to be accompanied by drawings , so that unless the project involves excavation that is not subject to notification under the Act notices can be issued immediately after the decision is taken to construct.

If you are considering a loft renovation and in most situations, you will need to cut beams through the wall of the party to help support the flooring and to support the burden from the back dormer. Notices should contain 'the purpose and specifics of the planned work', but don't have to provide precise information, however it's feasible to prepare an informal party Structure notice on the day you choose to start the work following the following information:

Cut pockets into the partition wall to allow the installation of beams for the purpose of the conversion of the rooftop space to accommodations.

The date for the start of the period will be defined as 2 months from the publication date, or earlier in accordance with the agreement'.

If your neighbors are easy to deal with, you may be able to obtain their permission and the time for notices under the law removed before the architect even puts pencil to pad (or the finger to the keyboard). Even when the plans include excavations, the only drawings required are 'plans and section of the excavation plan. You could draw a straightforward floor plan, with the foundations indicated with a dashed line and then with a standard foundation segment (we keep several foundation sections in file to facilitate this).

The issue we have in this method is that the adjacent owners are likely to be more comfortable accepting to an announcement if they are provided with the complete specifics of the proposed notice and this usually requires precise plans. UPDATE

Therefore, I'd recommend the most effective approach is to send an informal message to your neighbours as soon as you can (Ideally prior to the time the plan application is made should it be required) along with the announcement to be followed when the detailed drawings are made available. This will also eliminate one of the issues that irritate neighbours: finding out that their neighbors are planning to build their house through letters, even though the property is right next to each other.

In that initial meeting, all you have to do is explain what you want to do (your neighbor's property is often the identical to yours, so they ought to be capable to visualize the proposed structure) or present them with the preliminary sketches drawn by your architect. Use the chance to clarify that the projects fall under the area of the Party Wall Act and they will be given formal notice(s) in the future. It is also an excellent chance to clarify the fact that the planning and the party wall process is completely separate, as this is something that could confuse neighbouring owners.

A few points to complete, if the building of your neighbor is near to or near the boundary , it can be required to remove a portion of foundation by digging the pit for a trial (a small excavation area to explore the area). It is widely recognized that pits for trial may be made before to notification being given since the details they supply are typically needed to create the notice.

While anyone can write and distribute party wall notices and there are a lot of templates available online that could be used as a basis however, they must contain specific details to be legally valid. If you intend to create your own notices, it's worth spending time looking into the subject as an incorrect notice could lead to significant delays. Many surveyors who specialize in wall-related issues will draft notices for you on behalf of an affordable cost in the belief that they'll be hired when the need arise, so it could not be as costly than you think to hire the services of a professional.