Dodgy Party Wall Suveyor

Halle71

So, we've put a planning application in for a single story rear extension and just received notice from our (only) neighbour that they are appointing a party wall surveyor.

This alone is bad enough - the house next door has been empty for years and is in a terrible state. It's basically falling down slowly which doesn't put us in a great position as we are joined to it!
Bearing in mind the state of theirs I am pretty annoyed that they have appointed a surveyor at our cost.
I know they have every right to but the neglect to their property will probably cause more damage to mine that our build will to theirs.
In fact, we have only been in the house for 2 months and we have already had to make repairs to a party chimney where the pots were baking away from each other and theirs was about to fall off. They refused to contribute towards costs.

But, to add insult to injury, I googled their chosen firm and the first few links that greeted me included 'cowboy', 'rogue trader', 'name changed from XXX', 'cost our neighbour thousands and didn't provide our documentation'. They are not RICS surveyors and it seems they are chancers who move from borough to borough until they get caught out.

I feel like crying.

Is there anything I can do? Ask thatbthey select from a list of registered party wall surveyors if such a thing exists?
The house is owned by an old couple who live elsewhere and their son 'manages' it. I have his number and he seems quite friendly and reasonable.

harrys_dad

Why not contact the "friendly and reasonable" son and point him in the direction of your research about the "cowboy, rogue trader etc"? then you can suggest he appoints someone from an approved RICS list.

Davesnave

They may well have been cold-called by the 'surveyors' after your planning application was lodged and be as ignorant of the firm's incompetence as you were before you Googled.

It doesn't sound like this company acts in anyone's best interests, except their own, so it should be possible to convince the son if you prepare your evidence well..

Halle71

Reading more on-line it's become apparent that they are more persistant than 'just' cold calling and often become threatening to people who pull out from using them after discussions with neighbours.

At least there is a lot of fodder for the son to find when he googles.

Does anyone know what figure I should be looking at with a legitimate surveyor, assuming there are no issues? I can't seem to find much info online about this.

Thanks

H