Why you can’t just go right ahead and build your conservatory

Occasionally you’ll notice a news story about a property dispute between neighbours. This is often anything from the height of a hedge between them to the building of a conservatory. When you are considering the latter, be familiar with the Party Wall Act 1996. Making sure you refer to this before building can save a lot of hassle later. Here is Click here for more to the key points…

What is it?

The Party Wall Act 1996 regulates what you can and cannot do when building either on part of, or near, a neighbour’s property. You should refer to it if you are planning to build a conservatory and this would involve:

? an existing wall or structure distributed to another property

? a free standing wall around or astride the boundary to your neighbour’s property

? excavating near a neighbouring building to build your foundations

The fence that isn’t actually a fence

The term Party Wall Fence actually refers to a wall which doesn’t form section of a building but does straddle the boundary between you as well as your neighbour. If you are planning to build from this, or excavate within three metres of it, there’s action you need to take.

An important notice

At least two months before work starts, you need to give your neighbour an official notice, containing information such as for example:

? name, address, and owners of the property

? statement that it is being served under the terms of the act

? complete description and proposed start date of work

? date of serving the notice

? what happens if you have a dispute

Just having a speak to your neighbour isn’t sufficient. They can agree to work starting earlier, but don’t have to. Your builder or architect, making use of their experience, should deal with this for you. Your neighbours have 2 weeks to give written permission or register dissent. If they don’t reply, you proceed to…

A CELEBRATION Wall Dispute

A surveyor or surveyors is appointed to determine a fair and impartial award. Each party can appoint their very own or agree to just one. Following the making of an award, if this doesn’t settle the dispute, all parties can interest a County Court.

Once agreement is reached

All work must adhere to the notice. Keep your copy; if you later sell the property, a prospective owner may decide to check it.

Final words

That is a very basic guide. There’s greater detail in a free 42-page booklet from the Department for Communities and MUNICIPALITY. If all of this seems a hassle, it’s surely infinitely preferable to the alternative!

Ultraframe are specialist designers and manufacturers of conservatories and orangeries