Rear extension
Needs notice if you build a new wall on or astride the boundary, or dig foundations within 3 m of a neighbour's building and deeper than theirs.
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Hale Barns is mostly large detached homes on generous plots. Even with no shared wall, deep foundations, basements and replacement houses near the boundary often fall under section 6 of the Party Wall Act.
No conservation area of its own; the South Hale and Ashley Heath conservation areas are in neighbouring Hale.
Hale Barns area stats on Near MeLarge detached houses, many rebuilt or heavily extended, on wide plots. Party walls are rare, but neighbouring buildings are often within 3 to 6 metres of new foundations.
Which home improvements need a notice under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996
Needs notice if you build a new wall on or astride the boundary, or dig foundations within 3 m of a neighbour's building and deeper than theirs.
Side returns and wrap-arounds usually sit on the boundary line and need new foundations right next to the neighbour's.
Cutting steel beams into the party wall, raising it or removing a shared chimney breast is work to a party wall.
Digging below your neighbour's foundations, and underpinning a shared wall, are both notifiable.
Foundations, piling or deep drainage within 3 m of a neighbour's building, or within 6 m for deeper digs, can need notice.
Inserting beams into a shared wall, cutting in flashings or taking out a chimney breast on the party wall.
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Residential architects, architectural technologists, designers, planning consultants, structural engineers and design-and-build practices.
Refer a client and we take notices, schedules of condition and awards off your programme.
Your neighbour in Hale Barns is planning work
You have 14 days to reply. If you don't, a dispute is assumed and surveyors are appointed. Your three options:
The building owner normally pays the surveyors' reasonable fees, and must make good any damage the works cause.
Get impartial advice from CorelainBased on the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 · reviewed
They can. Section 6 of the Act covers excavation within 3 metres of a neighbour's building, or within 6 metres for deeper foundations, whether or not the houses share a wall. Basements and replacement houses often trigger it.
Often, yes. Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 you must serve notice before building a new wall on or astride the boundary (section 1), doing work to an existing party wall such as cutting in steel beams for a loft conversion (section 2), or excavating within 3 metres of a neighbour's building and deeper than its foundations, or within 6 metres for deeper excavations (section 6). The Act applies across England and Wales, including Hale Barns.
One month for a new wall at the boundary or for excavation, and two months for work to an existing party wall. A notice lapses if the work has not started within 12 months.
If an adjoining owner does not reply within 14 days, a dispute is treated as having arisen. Surveyors are then appointed to agree a party wall award that sets out how and when the work can be done.
The building owner, the person doing the work, normally pays the reasonable fees of both their own surveyor and the adjoining owner's surveyor.
Not for notifiable work. You need your neighbour's written consent or an agreed award first. Starting early can lead to an injunction and delay.
No. Planning permission, Building Regulations approval and the Party Wall Act are separate. The same extension may need all three.
Read it carefully and reply in writing within 14 days. You can consent, or dissent and either share one impartial surveyor (an agreed surveyor) or appoint your own.
Usually not. The building owner normally pays the reasonable costs of the adjoining owner's surveyor.
A party wall award normally includes a schedule of condition recording your property before work starts. The building owner must make good any damage the work causes, or pay compensation.
No. The Act does not let you block work that is otherwise allowed. It controls how the work is done and protects your property while it happens.
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