Canterbury, London, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester & Cardiff Party Wall Award
A Party Wall Award is the legal document that specifies the rights and responsibilities of two parties when one of them undertakes construction work near their shared property boundary.
The document primarily concerns two legal property owners: (1) the "Building Owner," who lives at or owns the side of the property where construction is taking place, and (2) the "Adjoining Owner," who lives at or owns the property next door to the works.
Who is responsible for creating the Party Wall Agreement?
The Party Wall Surveyors—either one surveying for both owners as Agreed Surveyor or each working for one of the two owners—draft the Award, which is a document describing in detail what work is to be done, how it is to be done, and when it is to be done.
Most of the time, the work is to do with "party wall-related works," but often the work being described and covered by the Award is just one part of a larger, more-all-encompassing construction scheme.
Is a Schedule of Condition included?
Because the Building Owner must repair any damage caused to the Adjoining Owner's Property by the works, a Schedule of Condition is typically included. This is a record of the state of the neighbouring property. It is drawn up before any work starts and serves as a reliable reference point, should the wall work cause any problems.
How should I handle the Award?
Since the Award is a legal document, it should be stored with the deeds of the property. They can demonstrate what work has been accomplished, by whom and roughly when.
A retrospective Award can not be granted if no Notice has been issued.