Party wall agreement

[chrissyr]

We have new neighbours in our semi detached. They have put in planning permission to the council and at the moment have builders in ripping out the inside so do not seem to be there much yet. The council sent us a notice about the application and then we got several letters from surveyor business asking about handling a party wall agreement. The surveyors suggest it's at no cost to us but checking the Internet seems to be about £1k to the neighbours. Doesn't seem a good introduction to neighbours and a bit of a punt for work from all the companies.
Anyone used one of these and are they needed? It's to be a single story extension so not sure it would need extensive foundations but I'm not a surveyor!

[Dicky99]

It's always best if neighbours discuss these things before official paperwork arrives. It sounds like they have appointed a Surveyor to deal with the party wall aspects and you may concur in the appointment of their surveyor to represent you both, but that is not obligatory and you may appoint your own surveyor, at no cost to you, in which case the two surveyors must agree on a party wall award which protects your interests. They shouldn't be commencing work in the absence of a party wall award though.
The RICS have produced some pretty good guidance plainly written with the home owner in mind explaining the purpose of the party wall award, what it covers and the (very prescriptive) process which must be strictly adhered to.
Search google for "RICS Party Wall Consumers Guide"

[chrissyr]

Thanks for that will have a look.

[Crazbe7]

You might want to read this as well.

https://www.gov.uk/party-walls-building-works

Crazbe7