Pyramus & Thisbe Conference. Can Adjoining Owner’s Surveyor Recover Fees From Building Owner?

In an illuminating talk on the correct form of a letter of appointment for an adjoining owner’s surveyor, Mr Mathew Hearsom of Morrisons LLP advised that there is no assumed right at law that an adjoining owner’s surveyor may legally recover his fees from a building owner.

An adjoining owner is entitled to appoint their own surveyor and when an adjoining owner does so the contract exists between the adjoining owner and his or her appointed surveyor.  While the building owner will normally agree to pay an adjoining owner’s surveyor’s fees he/she is not obliged to do so at law unless, of course, letters of appointment are correctly and accurately worded.