Dodgy Lawyers and the Party Wall Act

**eek** · 27 February 2020, 12:20

Ever heard of Google?

This will tell you everything you need to know What is the Party Wall Act? | Homebuilding & Renovating

**AtW** · 27 February 2020, 12:21

Get a lawyer to check any contract you plan to sign with lawyers.

**hairymouse** · 27 February 2020, 12:33

Originally posted by eek View Post

Ever heard of Google?

This will tell you everything you need to know What is the Party Wall Act? | Homebuilding & Renovating

Thanks, I have heard of Google.

**wattaj** · 27 February 2020, 12:34

Aside: I am planning the same sort of thing with my neighbours. Please think about having a proper wall built along the boundary so that you can extend against this wall if you ever want to. This will make sure that there is no nasty gap between the two extensions.

**Paddy** · 27 February 2020, 12:35

Originally posted by hairymouse View Post

My neighbours are planning to build an extension, the same house from an old thread. That's not important.

My question is that after the plans were published on the council website, I have received several letters from law firms and surveyors offering to do surveys and stuff to ensure my rights are protected under the party wall act. Apparently my neighbour will have to pay for everything. I'm wondering if I should sign up with one of them, or find my own, or just not worry about it.

For background, I'm not against this extension as it was designed to pass through as much light as possible and is not as bad as it could be. He's been reasonable about talking to us and letting us know his plans. His extension is only near the fence, not touching it. So I don't want him to get unnecessarily ripped off by dodgy lawyers, and I wouldn't put it past those dodgy lawyers to somehow rip me off as well.

What should I do? Is it normal to get a lawyer for this kind of thing?

I have had loads of these issues with various properties, including coming back from Europe to find a neighbour's extension encroaching over the red line.

Don't believe the BS about your neighbour has to pay your costs nor do you need a lawyer. Use you common sense. If needed get a. RICS surveyor not a lawyer. BTW, planning permission does not mean that your neighbour has the right to trespass on your property. The party Wall Act has strict limitations, best read it yourself and understand it.

**GhostofTarbera** · 27 February 2020, 12:36

If neighbours have hotwife make sure they have plenty of glass in extension

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**WTFH** · 27 February 2020, 12:37

Don't use the ones who are spamming you, if you still have the contact details for your solicitor who you used when you bought your house, it might be worth while checking with them, or better yet a surveyor.

**Snooky** · 27 February 2020, 12:59

Originally posted by wattaj View Post

Aside: I am planning the same sort of thing with my neighbours. Please think about having a proper wall built along the boundary so that you can extend against this wall if you ever want to. This will make sure that there is no nasty gap between the two extensions.

So basically joining two detached properties to make a nice friendly semidetached? Sounds cosy and neighbourly, and can only boost the value of both properties

**WTFH** · 27 February 2020, 13:00

Originally posted by Snooky View Post

So basically joining two detached properties to make a nice friendly semidetached? Sounds cosy and neighbourly, and can only boost the value of both properties

They'd be classed as "Linked-detached", which has very little negative bearing on value.

Dodgy Lawyers and the Party Wall Act