Party wall help :(

[Firsttimebuyer192]

Neighbour signed party wall notice 6 weeks ago consenting subject to a schedule of condition.

The schedule of condition was due to be done yesterday (haven’t yet had confirmation from the surveyor this was done) and works due to start next month.

Today they contacted us asking to change from consent to dissent because ‘it is safer for them’ with no further information given.

Is it actually possible for them to change or can we proceed as we have the signed paperwork consenting?

Steve the Party Wall Surveyor here. Irritatingly yes, they can change their mind. It’s poor form. Did you serve your own notices or use a surveyor? Sounds to me like they have been “nudged” by a surveyor here into this action. But the 2 month notice period doesn’t restart so the clock is running, engage with them and say it’s urgent etc etc.

Quickest and most cost effective solution will be to use an Agreed Surveyor - one surveyor acting impartially for both sides (there can be some shortcomings with that and it does depend on the scope of work, but for a relatively standard domestic attic conversion or rear extension it is a good route). Steve

@stevenway1 We used a surveyor and the schedule of condition was done on Friday. We served notice on 5th June so do we have until 5th August to resolve? We’ve booked builders etc and so this is a last minute issue.

OK, so the heavy lifting of serving the notices and doing the schedule has been done. I woudl ask you surveyor to talk to next door, see if they will appoint him/her as an agreed surveyor and then produce the Award. It should not take very long that way (day or two?). If they decide they want a separate surveyor it will take longer and be costlier. Might be worth going to see them, if all they want is the party wall. Award (agreement) then ask them if the will use the same surveyor?

Thanks will try that. Seems so strange that someone could change their mind on the last day of the 2 month notice period and then delay scheduled works etc but alas nothing ever makes sense.

Yep, we get phone calls weekly where "my friendly, predictable neighbours" have suddenly put a last-minute spanner in the works. And there are regular similar posts on here. Often, an ill-advised Google search or a scary ambulance-chasing letter is all it takes to nudge them.