How it works
From the award to the release
The Party Wall etc. Act lets an adjoining owner ask for security before works begin. The surveyors decide what is reasonable; the scheme holds it until the award says it can be released.
The award lists the security required
The appointed surveyors write the security clause into the party wall award, including the sum, what it covers, and the conditions on which it comes back. A model clause is available for surveyors to use as drafted.
The sum is agreed
The appointed surveyors settle the amount and the conditions on which it returns. Register the building and upload the award: we read the security clause back to you and check the ownership against the Land Registry.
The account is funded
The building owner receives the account details and pays the security in. All balances are safeguarded at the Bank of England. From that moment, neither owner can move the money alone.
The works proceed
Both owners can see the balance and the position at any time. If damage occurs, the security is already there ready for the surveyors to decide how to resolve the issue. This means there is no claim, no chase, and, most importantly, no argument about where the money is or if the security exists.
The conditions are met
The works finish and the surveyors agree the position between the two sides: what, if anything, is owed for damage, and what returns to the building owner.
The funds are released
When the award's conditions are met, one side's surveyor requests the release and the other agrees it, in whatever split they have settled between them. We make the payments and record every step.
Do you need to deposit security for expenses?
Open your account in a few minutes. There is no fee.