A Step by Step Guide for Loft Conversions in Flats > Step 8: Serve a party wall notice
After receiving Buiding Regulations approval for my loft conversion, I had some quotes from builders recommended by my planning consultant, John from Discount Plans. John asked me if I had served a party wall notice. I was like “What on earth is a party wall notice?!”
I was too embarrassed to ask him what the party wall notice wall was so I did my own research, which turned out to be a big mistake…
I first went to the government website to get some information on a party wall notice. According to the website, “You must give notice to your neighbour between 2 months and a year before you plan to start building works.” Their party wall explanatory booklet provides detailed information on party walls.
I then visited party wall surveyors’ websites to find out their fees. I was shocked to discover how extortionate their fees were! Even the cheapest surveyors in London charge £600 but on average they charge somewhere around £1000.
I own a first floor flat converted from a terraced house, so I have to serve a notice on the shareholder of the building, the owners of the ground floor flat and neighbours on the left- and right-hand sides. The house on the left-hand side has also been converted into two flats, both of which are rented out to tenants. This means that I have to serve a notice on the shareholder of their building, two leaseholders and two tenants. In total, I have to serve a notice on eight parties － how crazy is that!
If all of them want to hire a party wall surveyor, it’ll cost me a fortune. As party wall surveyors charge you around £100 just to serve a notice, I decided to serve a notice myself using an example letter in the explanatory booklet. As mentioned earlier, you need to serve a party wall notice at least two months before you plan to start building works. My builders were booked in for October so I served a notice at the end of July.
While waiting for their response, I turned to my planning consultant to see if he knows any party wall surveyor. When the council sent a letter to my neighbours to inform them of my planning application, the homeowner on the right-hand side made an objection to my proposal, so I knew that he would want to hire a surveyor. As such, I consulted a surveyor recommended by my planning consultant.
I showed the surveyor my notice but he said it was invalid! I want you to see my notice so you won’t make the same mistake.
And here is the valid party wall notice prepared by my surveyor.
It appears I had to explain my building works in more detail. I thoroughly read the explanatory booklet to prepare the notice but it was still incorrect. I felt like I wasted my time and should have hired a party wall surveyor in the first place.
I then received positive acknowledgement from my neighbours, apart from the homeowner on the right-hand side, as expected. I contacted the party wall surveyor appointed by the neighbour and found to my absolute horror that, his surveyor charges £1200 (£1440 including VAT) for his service! Does my neighbour hate me so much he chose one of the most expensive party wall surveyors in London? I can’t think of a better way to screw someone.
Anyway, both my and his surveyors went to his house to take some photos. While his surveyor prepared the Schedule of Condition, my surveyor drafted a Party Wall Award. They both worked efficiently and I received the award within a week.
If you are looking to do a loft conversion or buy a flat or house with potential for a loft conversion, you should be aware of this party wall stuff, e.g. the number of neighbours you need to serve a notice on, as you may end up paying thousands of pounds to party wall surveyors!