Successful Party Wall Surveyor Instruction in Stoke Newington

The rear elevation of terraced houses in London focusing on the party wall line.

At RMA Surveyors, we pride ourselves on offering professional, reliable, and expert Party Wall surveying services throughout London and the South East. One of our recent projects in Stoke Newington, London, highlights our commitment to ensuring smooth construction works while safeguarding the interests of all parties involved.

The instruction came from a property owner planning extensive refurbishments to their terraced building in Stoke Newington. The proposed works included the complete removal of internal walls and floors, installation of a new basement level, and the creation of a room in the roof. Given the significant structural changes, it was essential to adhere to the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 to protect both the building owner and the adjoining owners on either side.

Party Wall Matters: A Complex Instruction

The rear elevation of terraced houses in London focusing on the party wall line, with some new construction in the foreground.

Due to the nature and scale of the refurbishments, which involved significant structural alterations and excavations, the adjoining owners were understandably concerned about potential risks. One adjoining owner’s surveyor, in particular, raised concerns regarding the possibility of damage to their property. They insisted on a security for expenses, citing the potential risks to their property posed by the extensive works.

Security for expenses is a provision under the Party Wall Act, enabling an adjoining owner to request that funds are set aside to cover potential repair costs if any damage occurs as a result of the construction works. RMA Surveyors, acting on behalf of the building owner, approached these concerns with professionalism and diligence. Our primary objective was to safeguard our appointing owner’s project while ensuring the rightful concerns of the adjoining owners were addressed to avoid disputes.

Negotiating the Party Wall Awards

At RMA Surveyors, we understand that clear communication is key when it comes to Party Wall matters. Our team worked closely with the surveyors acting for the adjoining owners and the parties themselves. Through careful negotiation and expert advice, we were able to agree on fair and reasonable terms for the Party Wall awards.

The security for expenses requested by the adjoining owner’s surveyor was negotiated and set in place. This provided reassurance to the adjoining owners that any risks were being properly mitigated. At the same time, we ensured that the terms of the award did not impose unnecessary delays or costs to our client’s project.

Schedules of Condition and Monitoring

As part of our role, RMA Surveyors also undertook comprehensive Schedules of Condition for the adjoining properties. This is an essential step in any Party Wall project, providing a clear record of the state of the adjoining buildings before the commencement of works. Should any issues arise, this document provides crucial evidence of any pre-existing conditions versus potential new damage caused by the works.

We also maintained ongoing communication with all parties throughout the project to ensure that the works complied with the terms of the Party Wall award and that any concerns were swiftly addressed.

A Successful Outcome

The front elevation of terraced houses in London focusing on the party wall line.

The extensive refurbishment, including the basement excavation and roof extension, was completed successfully, in accordance with the Party Wall awards, without any damage occurring to the adjoining properties. The project demonstrated the importance of early and effective engagement with Party Wall surveyors when planning major construction works, particularly in densely populated areas like Stoke Newington.

At RMA Surveyors, we are proud to have facilitated the smooth progress of this project, ensuring that all parties involved were protected and that the works were completed without incident.

Expert Party Wall Services Across London and the South East

RMA Surveyors offers specialist Party Wall surveying services across London and the South East. Whether you’re a building owner planning major works or an adjoining owner concerned about potential impacts on your property, our experienced team is on hand to guide you through the Party Wall process and ensure a fair and balanced outcome for all parties.

If you’re planning a project or need expert Party Wall advice, don’t hesitate to contact RMA Surveyors today. We’re here to help.