Party Walls

Party walls are in the news – again, and it is important that they remain prominent in the public eye as more and more householders are improving and extending their properties rather than sell and move with all those attendant costs.

In October, RICS set out the Sixth Edition of Guidance Notes for Party Wall Surveyors, including new standards for awards and revised notices.  Increasing litigation in party wall matters means that it is imperative for surveyors to follow these latest guidance notes, which have been prepared by RICS to ensure best practice.

We have adopted all these improvements and owners who appoint us to represent their interests can be assured that the best and most up-to-date practice will be followed.

In November, RICS conducted a half-day seminar on subsidence – its principal causes and best practice in dealing with buildings affected by subsidence.

2011 has been a very busy year with important changes being made and we are confident this evolution will continue in 2012 and beyond.

We are now taking an extended Christmas break so as to return refreshed and ready for all the challenges we know 2012 will bring.

Our first “bulletin” to be published early in the New Year will deal with important changes and recent developments in the world of leasehold enfranchisement and lease extension valuations – to be followed in February by the latest changes affecting surveyors acting as expert witnesses.  We have recently been added to the RICS panel of Expert Witness Surveyors.

There is much to look forward to in the year ahead and we take this opportunity to wish all our clients and friends in the legal profession together with our RICS colleagues a very Happy Christmas and a successful 2012.