Other Services
Chartered Surveyors offers so much more.
Party wall matters
The Party Wall etc Act 1996 puts in place steps to safeguard the rights of those undertaking certain types of building work and the rights of their adjoining neighbours. The Party Wall Act works to protect the owner undertaking the works through the party wall surveyors, by ensuring that the work is lawful, whilst also protecting their neighbours rights in the event of damage occurring.
The Party Wall Act defines and affirms the rights of a person, referred to as “Building Owner”, wishing to cut into a party wall or to excavate new foundations within 3 metres of an adjoining structure. The neighbour that either share ownership of the party wall or are within 3 metres of the new extension are referred to as “Adjoining Owner”. Both parties may appoint a party wall surveyor if the building work is subject to the Party Wall Act.
For hundreds of years similar acts have been in force in the London area. The key effect of the Party Wall etc Act 1996 has been to extend these rights outside of the London region and now affects all properties in England and Wales. Any Building Owner wishing to undertake works subject to the Party Wall Act must follow the correct procedures as laid by the Party Wall etc Act 1996.
At Michael Charles Surveyors we have experience of party wall matters, with both John Card and Lester George being members of the Pyramus & Thisbe Club, which holds regular meetings for party wall surveyors to discuss party wall matters and generally get information and advice on different aspects of the Party Wall etc Act.
If you want to seek advice about the Act or wish to find out if the works you are proposing to undertake fall within the Party Wall Act, or would like to appoint us as your party wall surveyor, then please give us a call for a friendly and informal discussion on your own particular circumstances.
Expert witness reports
We have experience in providing expert witness reports for court purposes. Our surveyors, John Card, FRICS and Peter Leigh, FRICS, have provided expert reports on negligent valuation cases, divorce cases and for medical negligence cases where reports have to be prepared on the suitability of properties for disabled persons and their carers.
General inspections and reports
If a problem or defect becomes evident at your property and you would like an inspection carried out and report provided please give us a call. It could be that a structural crack has appeared, or a damp patch, or just something that is giving you cause for concern, and you would like to know the cause and what can be done to fix the property, then we can provide this service at a reasonable cost.
We can also recommend local reputable building contractors to provide you with quotes to undertake any works required.
