Keith Douglas Partnership
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Keith Douglas Partnership
Party Wall Surveyors with local surveying experience in the towns of Reading, Henley-on-Thames, Oxford, Maidenhead the west side of London and surrounding areas. We are Chartered Building Surveyors specialising in the administration of The Party Wall etc Act 1996. We are independent, impartial and regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

We put our considerable knowledge of building construction and associated law into the administration of the Party Wall legislation process. The Act not only relates to Party Walls but also to building next to boundaries and excavating close to neighbour's structures. Preparation of Schedules of Condition describing any pre-existing defects of adjoining properties.

Negotiating and agreeing the content of an Award which sets out the scope and nature of the works and safeguards the Adjoining Owner's property. Party Wall Surveyors practising in the Thames Valley area from north of Oxford and surrounds to the West side of London via the main towns of Reading, Henley-on-Thames, Marlow, Maidenhead and Slough.
Services
Keith Douglas Partnership specialises in Party Wall matters and boundary disputes.
Keith Douglas has over 45 years experience in dealing with the administration of party wall legislation and in the resolution of boundary disputes without recourse to the Courts.
We seek to give unbiased, accurate and current advice at economic cost.
Building Surveys of industrial, commercial, retail, hotel, residential premises and the Zoological Society of London.
Full architectural services in connection with industrial, commercial, retail, hotel and residential premises.
So you want to build an extension or convert your loft into a bedroom or dig out a basement or carry out work that may have a permanent or temporary affect upon your neighbour?
What you are required to do under the provisions of the Party Wall etc Act 1996 will depend upon the precise nature of the proposed work, for example, when dealing with an extension built up to the boundary line it may be necessary to serve a Notice under Section 1 and Section 6, the former being a Line of Junction Notice and the latter being a Notice of Excavation.
For works of an inconsequential nature it is permissible and indeed desirable that your neighbour should, to preserve good relations, talk to you and seek consent.
If the risks are minor the best course of action would be to consent in writing adding any sensible condition eg the taking of a Schedule of Condition and seeing that proper contractor's insurance is in place.
A good example of when consent should be granted is under Section 6 of the Act for Excavation where perhaps the proposed foundation is within say 1.5 metres but only 300 to 400 metres lower (not in sand!)
All appointments and selections made under this Section shall be in writing and shall not be rescinded by either party.
Both clauses refer to a Surveyor who is defined in Section 20 as "any person not being a party to the matter appointed or selected under Section 10 to determine disputes in accordance with the procedures set out in this Act."
It is to be noted that Surveyors are appointed not instructed.
The difference between the words is important.
Instructed is defined as "to order or command".
The Act must be relevant insofar as the owners wish to exercise a statutory building right.
Proper notice must have been given as per Section 1 (2) and (5), Section 3 (1) and (2), Section 6 (5) and (6) and Section 15.
In this dispute I have received copies of the Building Owner's Notice served on the Adjoining Owner, both Surveyors' appointments and the Award in which I am selected as the Third Surveyor.
As the Third Surveyor I am to resolve by Award any matter which is connected with any work to which the Act relates and which is in dispute between the parties as per Section 10 (10) (11) (12) and (13).
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