Just been given Party Wall notice

[palacegirl77]

Neighbours are doing the standard knock through kitchen and dining room, sliding doors, autopsy table extension. Just been given party wall notice. No idea what to do - do we just say yes do it to keep the peace or do we contest it to protect our property? Bit fed up. Theyre going to move in with her parents and we are going to have to endure the building work for 3-4 months (at least). Any advice on how to respond would be much appreciated.

£2k is high for a single surveyor cost, mine has been £1k for us plus £600ish for the neighbours (we ended up appointing a surveyor to act on their behalf, long story but relations are good). Single storey extension in London.

If you want to maintain good relations with your neighbours you can minimise costs to them by using their surveyor (which will be no detriment to you as the surveyor's job is to prevent future disputes by acting fairly for both parties), or getting a reasonably priced surveyor who doesn't ramp up their fees just because someone else is paying. A friend of mine got stuck with a £5k bill from her neighbour's mate surveyor, on top of the fees from her own. It's not helped the relationship.

We paid £1,600 for the surveyor to act for our neighbours (plus the same again for ours). Our architect felt that was reasonable for London.

Although you can use their surveyor, who will act for both parties, I’d suggest have a totally separate person for your property palacegirl. Also worth you finding your own and tell them who you’re appointing, rather than letting them choose. Only because it’s a rather unregulated field - one doesn’t need to have any experience with building works in order to become a party wall surveyor. The one our neighbours chose had no experience of building works whatsoever, or even a basic understanding of how foundations work (I wish I was exaggerating) which only made things more tricky.

@LondonNQT

We paid £1,600 for the surveyor to act for our neighbours (plus the same again for ours). Our architect felt that was reasonable for London.

Although you can use their surveyor, who will act for both parties, I’d suggest have a totally separate person for your property palacegirl. Also worth you finding your own and tell them who you’re appointing, rather than letting them choose. Only because it’s a rather unregulated field - one doesn’t need to have any experience with building works in order to become a party wall surveyor. The one our neighbours chose had no experience of building works whatsoever, or even a basic understanding of how foundations work (I wish I was exaggerating) which only made things more tricky.

Crikey that's not good!! Do you think we could ask to let us know you they are suggesting to appoint with a view to agreeing or getting our own if the one they choose isn't great?

I would say that's perfectly reasonable, tbh

@palacegirl77 agree with @Zinnia - a perfectly reasonable stance. But the Party Wall surveyor ( if they are acting properly - as I understand it - should not be acting for one party ( i.e. neighbour ) - they are simply there to check that any building work has not caused damage to adjoining properties . So if decent I would say no problem in having the same one as neighbour - equally if it makes you more comfortable appoint your own & neighbour doing the building has to pay for it. Our neighbour did this - we had to pay & 10 years on we get on famously. It was his choice & I understand it

Just a little update, we responded to the party notice (pretty much quoting @Rainbowsandstorms (thank you!)) and they responded saying to was absolutely fine to want to get surveyors involved and would not begin work until the notice was agreed. Might update this thread as bits happen in case anyone else finds it useful.

@palacegirl77 happy to have been able to help. Glad it’s gone well, it’ll help to protect them too, so good all round. I hope it all goes smoothly.