With many of Leyton’s Victorian terraced houses being extended or converted it isn’t uncommon for Leyton residents to receive a Party Wall Notice in the post from their neighbouring property owner?

But how should you respond?

You can give your consent
Write back to the Party Wall Notice within 14 days of receiving it and you can give your consent for your Leyton neighbour to start the stated work to their property.  However this is only advisable if the work they are planning is relatively minor as by giving consent you may find it difficult to claim damages if something later goes wrong with the party wall.

You can dissent

If you take no action and do not respond to the Party Wall Notice, you are automatically dissenting. Your Leyton neighbour will appoint a Party Wall Surveyor to draft a Party Wall Agreement for you to sign before work starts.  This document will formally lay out the terms for how the work will proceed and minimise any risk of damage or neglect.

If you are keen to appoint your own selected Party Wall Surveyor to work on the Party Wall Agreement, you must inform your adjoining Leyton neighbour within 10 days after the initial 14 day notice period. This will result in additional costs and would only be required in exceptional circumstances.

For thorough, professional guidance on all the options available to you when you receive a Party Wall Notice from your Leyton neighbour give Paul Brettell a call on 07815 051255.