PartyWall Act - Is that applicable for us?

geek1981

Hi

We live on a semi-detached and my neighbor is building an extension at the back of his house (3.5m) , the conservatory he is building stands behind the fence between us. We are in good terms with neighbour and he already showed us the plan to make sure we are happy with it. I also had a notice from the council few weeks ago to look at the plans if I wished and raise comments if i have any. Yesterday I had a letter from a firm in London (Vincent Brown) who can act as my party wall surveyor if I fill in their form. This letter says that my neighbor's work will affect my house as it lies within 3m from my house. Wordings on the letter looks like a firm touting for business from me.

Can someone confirm whether this "PartyWall Act" will affect if the new extension is built behind the existing fence? Also do i need to get a letter from their surveyor saying it will not have any impact on my building work? I've been told the foundation of the conservatory will be no deeper than the existing foundation.

Thanks!

MX5huggy

As you are on "good terms" with your neighbour do not employ a party wall surveyor you wont be on good terms after they are presented with hugely inflated bill for something you can agree between your selves or with a little help from a local professional.

https://www.gov.uk/party-wall-etc-act-1996-guidance

tonyh66

They are touting for business, and will only cause grief for you and your neighbour by presenting large bills for little or no work. They send the same to all neighbouring properties by scanning through the planning applications submitted to the council hoping to get a few replies.

cddc

If you are on good terms and wish to stay that way and you are satisfied that your property will not be adversely affected in any way then when he issues a party wall notice (and as you are semi detached he will have to), just either consent to the work or agree to use his surveyor.

On no account sign up with VBA. They just scan planning applications and fire out letters touting for business. They are aiming to make as much money from your neighbor as they can legally screw out of him, which can be massive amounts for doing little of real worth.

chookmom

If you Google Vincent Brown all you will find is advertising from the firm themselves or complaints about what crooks they are.
I wish my neighbour had