Extension - how does third party wall process work?

[GardensandGrandDesigns]

We are semi detached and extending on the back, up to next doors wall. Just wondered how third party wall approval is given. The architect hasn't mentioned it. Anyone been through it? Thanks!

this explains it.

We had ours extended and spoke to both neighbours first. Then shared the plans with them and used the formal template to gain agreement.

It's just a "party wall" - i.e. a shared wall (like a "party line" telephone used to be a shared phone line), not a "third party wall" which would presumably be one belonging neither to you nor to your neighbour....

I haven't been through the process but I'm sure someone with relevant experience will be along soon!

Very useful thank you! Just surprised the architect hasn't mentioned it in the timescale discussions.

@GardensandGrandDesigns

Very useful thank you! Just surprised the architect hasn't mentioned it in the timescale discussions.

Ours didn’t either from memory. DH did it himself

We've just been through this with our neighbours we get along well with.

You have to notify neighbours of works (you can print from internet but always better to use a company). This usually costs about £100 for formal notice (note, you can do this up to a year before the build)

The neighbours may then consent and simply sign the document with nothing more. Having been through it, I would advise they sign subject to a schedule of conditions. This is an additional c£400 and means the company go around and survey the neighbours side of the wall. They document any hairline cracks, note any existing problems with the wall and photograph everything. It means that should anything happen, you have a complete documentation of how it was prior so there is no room for disagreement.

The neighbours could 'dissent' which costs a lot more to navigate through legally (c£900) but I believe this is rare if you're on good terms!!

Good luck and my advice would be as soon as you have planning permission get this done as we left it a little late!

And one more.... if you're not having anyone project manage this for you, you'll also need to complete a Building Notice via your council before any build works. This means the building inspector will come at various stages during the build to check its being done to plan. It costs about £700 depending on your council but if you don't do it, the building company could be fined and you will have to pay for it to be inspected retrospectively which costs more AND if they find any issues you'll have to rectify.

You'd think a building firm would tell you this once they're booked in but our experience and our friends is that they often don't and assume you know!

We used a party wall surveyor as we live next door to flats so more neighbours than normal and we thought worth using an expert. Party wall applies if you’re digging a foundation less than 3m from the boundary so it doesn’t necessarily mean you have a shared wall (we didn’t).

It doesn't need to be complicated. Essentially, the process is a way of ensuring that if your build causes issues for your neighbour's property, you will make good that damage.

We are also semi detached, get on well with the neighbours. We knew they would be honest and wouldn't claim damage unnecessarily; they knew if they did, we'd put it right.

We'd been through the plans with them beforehand anyway. Printed off the party wall notice, completed it, went round to neighbours, they signed it, all done.

@BlusteringBoobies

And one more.... if you're not having anyone project manage this for you, you'll also need to complete a Building Notice via your council before any build works. This means the building inspector will come at various stages during the build to check its being done to plan. It costs about £700 depending on your council but if you don't do it, the building company could be fined and you will have to pay for it to be inspected retrospectively which costs more AND if they find any issues you'll have to rectify.

You'd think a building firm would tell you this once they're booked in but our experience and our friends is that they often don't and assume you know!

Is this part of doing building regs application. If so we have got that one planned in after planning permission. Thanks!

Cool sounds like I will just go round with a form then. I went round with the plans before we submitted to planning so hopefully no problem!

Be aware that the party wall notice form requires a response (or it's an automatic dissent) within 14 days. If you're not in a massive hurry to get started, please just go speak to them first and ask them if now is a good time to hand over the form. You don't know what is going on in their lives, and they may not appreciate needing to immediately look into their options with this on top of maybe some other crisis in their lives!

Though you have completely done the right thing by making your neighbours aware with the plans before now. I just wish ours had been as considerate and not sprung their (ultimately legally invalid) internet-sourced notice at us as the first thing we'd heard about their plans at the worst possible time for us. To say it has soured neighbourly relations would be putting it mildly.

That said, the neighbours on the other side apparently signed it straight away and didn't care! But the point is, you don't know how people will react unless you already know them well!