Party Wall Agreement- is insisting on seperate surveyors sensible?

[verygentlydoesit]

My neighbours are planning a large extension. Planning permission has been granted.

I have no objections other than that They will be leaving just a 17cm gap between my house wall and their extension. So I'm concerned about how we will maintain our wall on that side and about potential damage to our old house when they dig foundations so close to our house.

Discussions with our planning department and building control have confirmed that I cannot object to their wall being built so close to ours. So we just have to accept that we won't be able to access our wall in future. In preparation we have spent a lot of money repointing the entire wall.

I have a relative who is a builder and he said he has serious concerns that their work could cause structural damage to my property- specifically the digging and building of their piled (?) foundations.

So I know they are planning to serve a Party Wall Agreement soon. I feel under pressure to be reasonable and not cause them any unnecessary expense. However, I have to do what I can to ensure my house is protected from damage. As I understand it if I do not sign the initial agreement a surveyor will be appointed (at their expense) to ensure that their plans take the protection of my home into account- surely it's not unreasonable of me to ask that this is done.

In addition I think I can ask for a seperate surveyor to act on 'my' behalf to the one acting on 'their' behalf. Again this seems sensible to me but will be more expensive for them.

I've tried googling this but most things I can find are by furious homeowners who are trying to carry out building work and are being thwarted by their so called 'unreasonable neighbour' who they feel is being difficult by insisting on a seperate surveyor.

I don't want to be difficult but I do want to protect my home.

All advice gratefully received.

Hi Gently,

No, I don't think it's unreasonable to ask for the independent survey, and I say this as someone currently on the other side of this scenario. We're hoping to build an extension that would leave a similar gap between our new wall and our neighbour's property and have planning permission. They have been completely open with us and clear that they are more than happy with the plans provided they have the guarantees in place for the protection and ability to maintain their own property and actually when you put it like that it's hard to argue with their concerns or see them as unreasonable. I suggest just having a similar discussion with your neighbours - your concerns aren't petty, they relate to the ability to maintain your property in the future and actually theirs too as their new wall will have the same issue due to its proximity. Let us know how you get on and I'll update you on our progress too. Good luck!

This government leaflet is pretty clear: www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_partywall_explain_booklet.pdf
Unless you have a favourite surveyor or don't trust theirs, there's no particular reason to insist on separate surveyors.