We were recently instructed to carry out a RICS Level 2 Survey on Canham Road in Acton, where our client was purchasing an apartment converted from a former warehouse. The property is located in one of Acton’s more industrial pockets, with several commercial buildings and warehouses nearby. Conversions of this kind often bring unique character, but also...
Building works can be contentious. They’re noisy. They generate a lot of dust. And, they really test neighbourly relations. As with all building works, getting along makes a big difference. Which is why we have put together these three neighbourly tips to consider before sending a party wall notice. Early communication: Well before you appoint a contractor...
“It’s what you don’t know that matters.” This is especially true when inspecting buildings, as we often come across inspection chambers that need to be checked as part of our RICS Level 2 and Level 3 Surveys. While we can certainly point out things such as cracks and blockages, our assessments are primarily based on what we can see. And when it comes to...
Preparing your own party wall notices, or asking your builder to prepare them for you, might seem like an easy way of keeping your project costs down, but in most cases, it isn’t the best approach. Having served many party wall notices, in our experience, the majority of ‘self-served’ notices are invalid. Where we discover that a ‘self-served’ party wall...
Starting a construction project is exciting, but delays caused by a non-responsive neighbour can create significant challenges. When it comes to Party Walls, if your neighbour doesn’t respond to your Party Wall notice, it could stall your timeline and disrupt your plans. In this post, we’ll explore three areas: Why neighbours might not respond, What steps...
A few weeks ago, this TikTok video went viral featuring a homeowner’s shocking experience with what can only be described as an unbelievable rat infestation in her newly purchased property. Having inspected countless homes, we've never heard of such an infestation. The trauma this homeowner endured—and is likely still grappling with—is truly awful. From a...
With the rapid growth of technology, there’s been a surge of websites offering tools to generate Party Wall notices. Many of these services are free, while others come with a fee. But the question is: should you use one? The short answer is, it depends. There’s nothing stopping you from using an online Party Wall notice generator to prepare your notice. In...
Last year, my godson, Lance, was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Before then, I had never heard of this condition, so when Lance's dad told me about it, I was shocked to learn how devastating and severe it is. Duchenne is a progressive, life-limiting disease that affects muscle strength, mobility, and overall quality of life. Understandably, it...
We were recently instructed to undertake a Schedule of Condition in Kensington, W8. Our client was planning structural alterations to their apartment within a mansion block, and a Schedule of Condition was required to document the condition of neighbouring properties before any work commenced. What is a Schedule of Condition? A Schedule of Condition is a...