What are Neighbourly Matters?
Neighbourly Matters is a general term that has been adopted to cover the specialist area of Surveying practice involving the avoidance or resolution of disputes between the owners/occupiers of neighbouring properties. These can include works to a shared structure, excavations near neighbouring properties, access over neighbouring land, Boundary Disputes, Rights of Light of Daylight and Sunlight Amenity.
Party Wall Advice
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is a complex piece of legislation that places rights and obligations on owners and neighbours on both sides of a boundary where works are proposed either on or close to the boundary.
Rights of Light
Rights of Light is a specialist area of Property Law which often falls under the wider inclusive term of Neighbourly Matters. relating to buildings which have the right to receive light into the window openings.
Boundary Matters
Most boundary disputes involve a few centimetres of land between domestic gardens or commercial buildings, often as a result of a disputed boundary line along a hedge or fence, or possibly when an extension has been or is proposed to be built.
Access Agreements
Contrary to common belief, there is no automatic right to access land of an adjoining owner. There are two methods of gaining access over land which belongs to someone else, The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 and the Access to Neighbouring Land Act 1992. However, the rights granted in these pieces of legislation are strictly limited.