Party Wall Surveyors and their tricks

[daddyfreddy]

I submitted an application to the local council for a single storey extension within allowed limits - only so I could have a 100% rubber stamp that it was permitted.

As the application is public info I've now received a letter from some party wall surveying firm warning me of complications of this and that. They've also kindly sent letters to my neighbours - how nice of them!

Now, obviously these shit stirrers find this a good way of scaring people and making money but where do I stand? I know I have to give notice to neighbours but providing works are done to a satisfactory standard can they stop me from doing it?

[Tony Bryer]

No they cannot prevent you from doing the work, merely ensure that the work is carried out in a way that will not affect the party wall and/or adjacent structure. Unfortunately their surveyor's fee is down to you, but if it is non-contentious the same surveyor can, if they agree, act for you and them. Basically it comes down to looking at what is proposed to identify any issues, and compiling a schedule of condition of the relevant walls etc. This does act as some protection for you, since if there are cracks etc there already they will be noted on the schedule and you/your builder cannot be blamed for them at a later date.

If the current edition is as good as its predecessors, 'Party Walls and what to do with them' is a book well worth buying.

[mogga]

Oh you'll get other spam too. Can't think who else spammed us after applications went in but it was easy to spot. All building related.

[Paul Matthews]

I had a good one - an application for a certificate of lawfulness for an existing garage got offers of finanace and builders to build the garage that had been completed 10 years previously.

I suppose I should have asked the builders to come and tell me what they could do for me!

[daddyfreddy]

Thanks for the info.