What is a Party Wall Agreement?
The party wall agreement is written consent from the neighbours that own adjoining properties to your home on the building work that you are planning to carry out. Your neighbours might also request adjustments to the manner of how the works will be carried out or the timing of the work.
To get a party wall agreement you will need to serve a party wall notice, which should include your name and address, the address of the building that the work is to be carried out on, a full description of the plans, and when you intend to begin. For a loft conversion where a party wall agreement is needed, the party wall notice must be served to the neighbours at least two months before the planned start.
Can a Loft Conversion Be Done Without a Party Wall Agreement?
In some cases, it is possible to carry out a loft conversion without the need for a party wall agreement. In general, you will not need an agreement if the planned works do not involve any construction work on walls that are shared with adjoining properties. For example, if the loft is being built on top of a standalone or detached house, there will be no party wall involved.
In some cases, your loft conversion might be constructed with a beam that is placed over a purpose-built column rather than placing it inside the party wall, which will negate the need for a party wall agreement.
If your loft conversion plans involve work on any of the walls that adjoin other properties, you will need to get a party wall agreement before you can begin.
