What
is a Party Wall?
In simple terms a party wall divides
the buildings of two owners with the boundary between ownerships usually, but
not always, positioned at the centre of the wall.
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996
recognises two different types of party wall:
Type A
A wall that stands astride the
boundary of land belonging to two (or more) different owners. Examples include
walls separating terraced or semi-detached houses or walls that form the
boundary between two gardens, known as a “party fence wall” (see more detailed
description below).
Type B
A wall that stands wholly on one
owner’s land, but is used by two (or more) owners to separate their buildings.
Examples include where one neighbour has a structure that leans against a wall
that is owned by the other neighbour. Only the part of the wall that is
enclosed by the lean-to is a Party Wall.
Party Structure
The Act also uses the expression
"party structure", as in “Party Structure Notice”.
As well as the party walls described above this term encompasses dividing
structures such as floors or other partitions. It is rare that structures of
this type are the subject of a Party Wall Agreement.
Party Fence Wall
A "party fence wall" is
not part of a building. It stands astride the boundary line between lands of
different owners and is used to separate those lands. Wooden fences, or even
fences with concrete posts, are not party fence walls.
This article was provided by Justin
Burns MRICS of Peter Barry Party Wall Surveyors
