As-built drawings are an important part of any party wall survey. They are used to show what the boundaries were before any building work was carried out and can be vital in determining whether a neighbour is liable for repairing your property if they make alterations or additions that extend beyond their property line.
A party wall survey is a detailed drawing of the property boundaries, usually carried out to determine whether party wall liability exists.
A party wall survey is a detailed drawing of the property boundaries, usually carried out to determine whether party wall liability exists.
Party walls are walls or structures that separate two properties. In the UK, a party wall is defined as: “any structure which separates two buildings or parts of buildings.”
Does the party wall survey require as-built drawings?
As-built drawings are simply detailed plans of the building as it was at the time of construction. They show where everything is located and how it is connected.
As-built drawings can be incredibly useful for a party wall surveyor; nonetheless, some surveyors may not require them. This is because measured surveys also provide a good level of detail about the surveyed structure, including room sizes, door openings, staircases, etc.
What types of as-built drawings should be submitted with the party wall survey application?
It is essential to understand the difference between as-built drawings and original plans. If you have carried out the work yourself or if it was done by a friend or family member, then you do not need to submit any as-built drawings with your party wall survey application.
However, if an architect, land surveyor or engineer has been involved in the project, then they should submit all relevant as-built drawings with their party wall application. As-built drawings are documents that show what has been constructed on-site over time and will help determine whether any changes have occurred which could affect future works.
How can I confirm that my neighbour has carried out work to which they are not entitled?
You can ask your neighbour if they have any drawings of the work and if so, to show you them.
Ask your surveyor to check the drawings, as he or she may be able to see that the work is not in accordance with planning permissions or party wall agreements.
Ask your neighbour if they have a copy of their building notice, which will state what they are entitled to do in relation to their property. If this shows that they cannot carry out certain works under their right of way (for example drainage), then it makes it more likely that those works were carried out without permission from the adjoining owners and, therefore without obtaining an access agreement. Please note, however that building notices are often not issued when minor works are being carried out.
Ask your neighbour if they have a copy of their planning permission – this will also indicate whether they would be allowed to carry out certain types of party wall works under their rights as defined by relevant legislation (such as drainage) or whether these rights extend no further than demolishing existing walls and erecting new ones (by previous permission).
Can I use an as-built drawing to amend my party wall agreement?
If you have a party wall agreement, you can use the as-built drawings to amend it. If you do not have a party wall agreement, you must apply for one.
The answer to this question depends on whether your neighbour has made alterations or additions that are not permitted by your building notice.
- If you have made alterations or additions that are not permitted by your building notice, then your neighbour is entitled to remove them.
- However, if the neighbour has not made any alterations or additions not permitted by your building notice, they are entitled to keep them.
- In order for you to know whether or not the neighbour has altered anything since their last survey was taken, it’s vital that you check the date on their party wall certificate and compare it with yours.
If you suspect that they have altered without getting permission from yourselves and from us (otherwise known as ‘unapproved works’), then I would advise contacting our team of experts who can help guide you through getting permission from them for them to make changes back again!
If you have not been provided with as-built drawings, you may need to request them.
If you have not been provided with as-built drawings, you may need to request them. Suppose you are denied access to the information or given incomplete information. In that case, the neighbour may have constructed something different from what was agreed upon in the original building consent application.
Suppose your neighbour refuses to provide copies of as-built drawings or does provide them, but they do differ from those approved at the time of construction. In that case, your surveyor can apply for an order from the court forcing them to disclose all relevant documents (and also ensuring compliance with any other obligations).
As-built drawings are typically prepared by the architect, land surveyor or engineer who designed and built the structure.
As-built drawings are typically prepared by the architect, land surveyor or engineer who designed and built the structure.
As-built drawings are usually prepared for any work carried out to a building or structure that is not covered by a building notice.
It usually makes sense to get your surveyor to ask the person who carried out the work on your home if they can provide as-built drawings.
Your surveyor should get the person who carried out the work on your home to provide as-built drawings or a statement that they have complied with their building notice.
If you are buying a house where building work has been carried out, then it is essential that an accurate drawing of what was there before any work was done is available.
If you are buying a house where building work has been carried out, then it is essential that an accurate drawing of what was there before any work was done is available.
As-built drawings are a record of what was there before any work was done and can prove invaluable regarding party wall matters. However, not all buildings will have as-built drawings because they may not have been considered necessary or commissioned by third parties at the time (for example, an architect may not have created an as-built drawing if they were only concerned with the design).
Even if there aren’t any as-built drawings available for your property, don’t worry – we’ll still be able to complete your party wall survey and advise you on how best to proceed with your project!
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Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about your party wall survey or as-built drawings. We are happy to help!
