Party Wall Surveyors in Bromley

Harding Chartered Surveyors provide party wall services in Bromley and across South East London and Kent. On the periphery of London city, Bromley is home to a mix of commercial and residential buildings, and plenty of residential properties with shared walls and boundaries. Our party wall surveyors in Bromley help tenants and landlords to resolve disputes, manage constructions, and issue party wall notices by the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 legislation.

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 was designed to provide a resource of rules and regulations that parties must adhere to in relation to shared walls or boundaries between two (or more) properties. The Act itself means that property owners must notify neighbours if they plan to carry out building work on a shared wall, which may include a wall that forms part of the boundary - including walls in flats or houses, flooring/ceilings between flats, or a garden wall shared by neighbours.

Not adhering to the Party Wall Act can result in expensive delays, strained neighbour relationships, and legal disputes. 

Harding Chartered Surveyors provide party wall services in Bromley and across Kent, acting as the key representative so that you and your neighbours can reach a successful agreement on party wall matters. We can help you agree on the works taking place, how and when construction will be carried out, and who will be responsible for covering the fees.

The process commences with the issue of a party wall notice by the building owner to their neighbours or 'adjoining owners', indicating the proposed building work. Under the Party Wall Act 1996, this is an essential step before any construction or alteration that might affect the party wall.

If the adjoining owner does not consent to the proposed work, the services of a party wall surveyor become crucial. The surveyor, either appointed mutually or separately by each party, assesses the situation, taking into account the drawings and plans of the architectural design and the potential defects that may arise from the work.

A key responsibility of a party wall surveyor in Bromley is to prepare a 'schedule of conditions' detailing the current state of the adjoining property before work begins. This serves as a vital reference point should any issue arise.

Upon the completion of the survey and discussions with both parties, the surveyor will issue a 'party wall award', a document outlining the work to be undertaken, how and when it is to be carried out, and any protective measures required to prevent damage.

All Harding Chartered Surveyors, including those specialising in party wall matters, are members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). This ensures that collectively, we uphold the highest standards of conduct and expertise - whether it be for commercial, residential, or contract administration across party wall matters.

As an independent firm, our Bromley party wall surveyors ensure that all party wall surveys are carried out with professional impartiality, upholding the rights and obligations of all parties involved. We aim to get all disputes resolved quickly and efficiently, can examine Party Wall Notices to verify legal validity, and liaise with the other party’s surveyor to protect the rights of both parties.

• If you’re planning on renovating or building near or on a shared property boundary, you need to tell your neighbours and provide a party wall agreement.
• When a neighbour consents to your construction, it is still best practice to hire a party wall surveyor to create a schedule of condition and ensure that all disputes are handled effectively and efficiently.
• If your neighbour has begun construction work on a shared wall, or excavation within 3-6 metres of your property and has not requested your consent to a formal Party Wall Notice.
• A party wall surveyor will also manage the party wall award and set out the time, process, and manner in which the construction will be carried out. 

Whether your building project in Bromley involves a simple conversion or a complex structural modification, specialist party wall surveyors based in Bromley are equipped to assist and resolve any party wall matters that may arise. 

The invaluable expertise and dedication of a specialist party wall surveyor will make the engagement an indispensable asset to any building owner.

The Harding Chartered Surveyors Tooting office prides itself on providing impartial, expert advice across both residential and commercial projects. We also specialise in other areas of building surveying and can provide further services, such as contract administration and assistance with architectural design and drawings.

The purpose of the schedule of condition is to document the current state of the neighbour’s property - in particular, the areas that are to be affected by the proposed building work. It should detail the condition of the floors, walls, ceilings, fixtures, fittings, and any other relevant elements of the property.

The benefit of a schedule of condition is that it provides a benchmark of the condition of the property that can be compared to after the construction is complete. If there has been damage to the neighbouring property as a result of this construction work, then a schedule of conditions becomes invaluable in proving when the damage occurred. 

A schedule of condition is typically prepared during the initial survey by a party wall surveyors and is helpful for both the building owner and the adjoining owner. The building owner is protected against unfounded claims of damage, and the neighbour can have peace of mind that any damage caused during construction will be repaired at the expense of the other party.