Replastering / Party Wall Act?

MJS2011

Hi,

I've recently bought an old terraced property. I've had surveys on some damp in the walls - conclusion being that I need to have some replastering done, with a damp proof membrane installed.

I've got the papers through from the contractor and the contract I'm signing asks me to confirm that "where appropriate Party Wall Act letter(s) have been issued". I'm not entirely sure what such a letter is, what is should say, and whether it's relevant in my circumstances!

Do I need to send a letter out for the replastering? Or is this a standard wording on the contract?

Thanks.

jc808

Sounds like a generic letter

The PWA (google it) I believe (Dont hold me to this) would only apply for invasive procedures like digouts/ steels into walls/ new DPCs etc not a bit of plastering

teneighty

Simple replastering should not but just make sure the damp proof membrane you mention isn't a tanking membrane fixed to the wall with numerous large plastic wall plugs.

MJS2011

I'll find out - I'm new to all this though, it's my first house.

What's a tanking membrane? Do I need to notify anyone if a membrane is used as well as the replastering?

sonastin

If the work that is being done is going to affect your neighbours property (e.g. if the membrane needs to be fixed to their wall as well as yours), you ought to get a Party Wall agreement. Basically, they can't stop you from having the work done but they do get a say in the how and when so that it doesn't cause too much disruption to their lives. The Party Wall Act was brought in to stop a load of neighbour disputes (e.g. to stop you drilling into their wall to fix your membrane to it, and drilling straight through some priceless artwork that they had hung up there - you must go through the steps in the Act and get the agreement and then if they haven't removed the artwork from the wall when you come to do the work, you aren't liable for the damage!). It is a really straightforward bit of legislation to read and understand so a bit of googling should tell you all you need to know about whether it is relevant to your job.

MJS2011

I've tried googling but not had much success. It seems that replastering alone is ok without a notice.

Jeffrey_Shaw

MJS2011 wrote: »

I've tried googling but not had much success. It seems that replastering alone is ok without a notice.

Yes, unless it falls foul of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. See http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/40/contents

MJS2011

Well the work is going to consist of removing old plaster from the wall, and replacing it with new plaster and plaster membrane. Unless I'm missing something I don't think there's any cutting into a party wall etc as stated in the Act. Its not something I'm at all familiar with though so I guess I'm seeking either reassurance, or differences of opinion!!

sonastin

Ask your contractor if the work he is doing is going to effect the neighbour's property in any way or if the requirement for party wall agreements is just standard. He'll be able to put your mind at rest as he has a better understanding of the scope of his work than we do!

MJS2011

I have done, and he says it's not necessary to send a notice. But he also said it's up to me to decide whether to send one and I'm the one signing the disclaimer!

I think I'm veering towards it not being necessary to send a notice, but I'll let the neighbour know out of courtesy that the replastering is taking place.

ognum

If you are hacking off old plaster it is possible you may need to get your Party Wall Act letters signed
I lived in a terrace where the neigbours hacked of the plaster in the basement to reinstate the damp proofing this caused all the plaster in my hall stairs and landing to crack under the party wall act they paid for filling and repainting the whole of the area.