{"id":16763,"date":"2023-09-19T13:25:47","date_gmt":"2023-09-19T12:25:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.propertysurveying.co.uk\/newsletter\/?page_id=16763"},"modified":"2023-10-03T13:29:34","modified_gmt":"2023-10-03T12:29:34","slug":"surveyors-guide-garden-walls","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.propertysurveying.co.uk\/newsletter\/?page_id=16763","title":{"rendered":"Surveyor’s Guide to garden walls and building regulations"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many local councils have restrictions on the height of garden walls, although in most cases walls that do not form part of the house or an extension are unlikely to be the remit of Building Regulations. One exception to this general rule, however, is when the wall provides support to the foundations of a building.<\/p>\n

Your local planning department will confirm the rules that apply in your area.<\/p>\n

Retaining Garden Walls<\/h5>\n

Building Regulations are not usually required for walls constructed for landscaping, however, where the wall supports a large amount of earth you should take advice from a structural engineer to ensure they are built to the correct standard to prevent danger to the public.<\/p>\n

If the retaining wall is built within 3.7 metres of any highway, the Highways Act 1980 requires the approval of the local authority. If the road is adopted, you will need the approval of the Highways Authority.<\/p>\n

As a guide, retaining walls should be strong enough to resist the horizontal soil pressure that arises from the different ground levels.<\/p>\n

Ground water can increase the pressure, potentially causing water to accumulate behind the structure, and this should be allowed a path of egress by adding drainage. Where necessary, movement joints and slip ties can be incorporated to prevent cracking and where a wall abuts a building.<\/p>\n

Party Walls<\/h5>\n

In certain circumstances, garden walls may come under the terms of the Party Walls Act, particularly if the party wall is built on the land of more than one owner, and forms part of a building or where it is sited on one owner\u2019s land but is used by other owners to separate their buildings.<\/p>\n

A Chartered Surveyor will give advice on party wall matters, including garden walls. Whether or not the duty of care for maintenance of garden walls built on a boundary is the responsibility of one owner or the other is not straightforward, and reference should be made to HM Land Registry and the title deeds of the properties. A Chartered Surveyor will make an assessment which can be used to assist a property owner reach agreement should no duty of care be specified.<\/p>\n

Safety of Garden Walls<\/h5>\n

To check whether repairs are necessary, or if a wall needs rebuilding, garden and boundary walls should be inspected from time to time.\u00a0 Garden walls are among the most common forms of masonry to collapse, and they are one of the commonest causes of death by falling masonry.\u00a0 Your insurance may not cover you if the wall has been neglected.<\/p>\n

Over the years, masonry walls may be affected by:<\/p>\n