The Party Wall Act sets out the rights and responsibilities of a property owner when they are proposing to do building work to an external or internal wall shared by their neighbour.

The Party Wall Act is indiscriminate. It doesn’t matter if the Cheshunt property you are renovating is your own home, a commercial property or even a listed building, the Party Wall Act has to be followed when making amendments to walls shared between Cheshunt properties.

If your plans involve increasing the size of a wall on or across your Cheshunt property’s boundary you will need to serve a formal one months’ notice under Section 1 of the Party Wall Act.

Any work which involves cutting into a party wall within your Cheshunt property, for example to insert a beam or remove a chimney breast notice is required under Section 2 of the Party Wall Act. For this there is a 2 month notice period.

Should you be proposing to excavate within 3m of your Cheshunt neighbour’s property and to a lower level than their foundation Section 6 of the Party Wall Act requires a month notice period.

If you need guidance on the Party Wall Act for your Cheshunt development, you are welcome to take advantage of our free initial advice service; call Paul Brettell on 07815 051255.