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Party Floors

Party Wall etc. Act

What you need to consider if intending to do work that affects, or might affect, a Party Floor, or staircase, between two properties.


Your rights

Typical works which materially affect the floor and require Notice:-
  • Work involving removal or addition of structural material, including acoustic treatments built in, on, or under;
  • Work involving alterations to the floor to run electrical conduit, and other services, within its depth;
  • to the top of the floor
    • Work which increases the load on the floor from above, eg a new partition, or fixture(s); overboarding; tiling;
  • to the underside of the floor
    • Work which increases the load on the floor from below, eg adding drylining or a suspended ceiling; attaching duct casings; fixing ceiling radiators, central heating and water supply pipes, or plumbing goods;
    • Forming recesses for electrical conduit, lighting, and other services;
    • Removing ceiling plaster completely;
    • Re-plastering.

Typical works which do not materially affect the floor:-
  • to the top of the floor
    • laying carpet or other loose floor coverings with fixing strips and edgings;
  • to the underside of the floor
    • Putting screws or nails or clips in the ceiling for electrical services;
    • Renewing cable, conduit, and sockets in existing recesses;
    • Making good, or patching, defective plaster to match existing.

Your obligations

Notices
  • A Party Structure Notice must be served on all the Adjoining Owners
    • two months before the work is intended to start.

Your neighbours' obligations

Notices
  • A Counter Notice for work required must be served on you within
    • one month after the Notice is served.