When you carry out work on structures shared with or near a neighbour's property, the proper course of action would be to issue a notice beneath the Party Wall etc Act 1996. But what comes next? This short article describes the process that follows the issuance of a notice, explaining how to deal with a dispute to your notice, and what things to expect from a Party Wall Award.Imagine if a Dispute Arises?Once you have issued a notice under the Party Walls etc Act, if agreement can't be reached between neighbouring parties or the notice has expired, the matter is in dispute.The process is as follows:1. Surveyors are often appointed by each of the Owners. Alternatively, the parties can appoint an 'Agreed Surveyor', who's acceptable to all parties.2. The Agreed Surveyor, or the average person Surveyors jointly, will produce an Award which should be fair and impartial to all or any parties.3. Where each one of the Owners appoints a surveyor, they jointly select a Third Surveyor who in the event that the appointed surveyors cannot agree on any point will become an 'umpire'.The Publication of an 'Award' or 'Party Wall Award'The Award usually includes the next elements;-1. The scope of the works proposed by the Building Owner together with any ancillary temporary works and protection to prevent damage.2. A Schedule of Condition, which is an agreed record between the surveyors of the adjoining properties condition that's likely to be affected by the proposed works.This Schedule is re-checked upon completion of the works, and any damage noted.3. A WAY Statement and drawings (architectural/structural engineers) which indicate the way the work is to be carried.4. A listing of hours and days of permitted noisy working with regard to the matters awarded - the Award does not control noise, pollution, hours nor days of employed in the remainder of the website.5. The right for either of the appointed surveyors to possess usage of inspect the works. That is for the surveyor to check on that the works are increasingly being completed as agreed, and allows the surveyor to inspect the neighbouring property for damage or a particular constructional detail.6. A confirmation of who is in charge of the fees for drawing up the Award and for checking that the task has been carried out in accordance with the award. It is usual for the Building Owner to pay all costs connected with drawing up the Award if the works are solely for his benefit.7. A confirmation of who is responsible for payment for the works. That is generally the Building Owner as they are for his benefit. However, you can find cases where in fact the Adjoining Owner may be responsible for spending money on part of the cost, for example: where work to a party wall is needed because of defects for which the Adjoining Owner is responsible or where he requests work to be done for his benefit.8. https://westmidlandssurveyor.co.uk/best-party-wall-surveys-west-midlands/ that before the works going ahead that unconditional planning permission (normally planning permission is granted with conditions and these should be extinguished) is set up in addition to building regulation approval.9. Provision for the surveyors to make further Awards, for example; where the scope of the works alters due to site conditions or upon the works being exposed.After the Publication of the 'Award' or 'Party Wall Award'After 2 weeks have elapsed lacking any appeal being made to the County Court by either Owner on the grounds that the Award has been made improperly the Building Owner reaches liberty to commence the works.Upon completion of the works, the surveyors will check the Schedule of Condition and note if any damage has occurred. Any noted damage because of the works becomes the liability of the Building Owner to repair/renew/re-decorate OR in lieu agree a compensation total be paid to the Adjoining OwnerAll work must comply with the Award. The Award ought to be retained and kept with the deeds for future reference as it will need to be produced with confirmation that there are no outstanding matters through the conveyance of either of the properties detailed in the Award.