Fareed Fetto & Co

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996

GENERAL

 

The Act comes from a long line of predecessors and is concerned with issues arising from works affecting neighbouring properties in three main ways:

 

(Section 1)       When it is intended to build a new wall* straddling the boundary line ("Line of Junction"),

(Section 2)       When it is intended to work** on an existing shared wall ("Party Wall"),

(Section 6)       When it is intended to dig to a certain depth*** close to a neighbour's building or structure.

 

*     The new wall will then be called a 'party wall' because the line of junction goes through it. 

       A wall separating two enclosed neighbouring rooms is also a party wall to the extent that it does so, regardless of the positon of the line of junction.

 

**   There are a number of things which can be done to an existing party wall, such as underpinning it or raising it.

 

*** Below the level of the neighbour's foundation, within three metres, or really deep, within six metres (for example piling foundations).