Create a bespoke document in minutes,聽or upload and review your own.
Get your first 2 documents free
Your data doesn't train Genie's AI
You keep IP ownership聽of your information
Party Wall Agreement
I need a party wall agreement to outline the responsibilities and obligations between myself and my neighbor for the construction of a shared wall, including provisions for cost-sharing, maintenance, and dispute resolution, in compliance with Belgian regulations.
What is a Party Wall Agreement?
A Party Wall Agreement sets out the rights and responsibilities between neighbors who share a common wall in Belgium. It's a legally binding document that covers how owners can use, maintain, and modify the shared wall structure between their properties, as regulated under Belgian Civil Code Article 653.
These agreements help prevent disputes by spelling out key details like cost-sharing for repairs, rules for installing fixtures, and procedures for major renovations. They're especially important in Belgium's urban areas, where connected townhouses and semi-detached homes are common. Local municipalities often require these agreements before issuing building permits for any work affecting shared walls.
When should you use a Party Wall Agreement?
You need a Party Wall Agreement before making any structural changes to walls shared with neighbors in Belgium. This includes installing new fixtures, rebuilding sections, or adding insulation. The agreement becomes essential when planning renovations, constructing extensions, or addressing damage to shared walls.
Belgian law requires this agreement for most construction work affecting party walls, particularly in urban areas. Get it in place early鈥攊deally before purchasing materials or hiring contractors. Many Belgian municipalities demand proof of a signed agreement during the permit application process, and starting work without one can lead to costly delays and legal complications.
What are the different types of Party Wall Agreement?
- Basic Residential Agreement: Covers standard shared wall maintenance and modifications between neighboring houses, focusing on day-to-day upkeep and minor alterations
- Construction Modification Agreement: Details major structural changes, reinforcement work, or extensive renovations affecting party walls
- Commercial Property Agreement: Addresses specific needs of business properties, including signage installation, load-bearing requirements, and utility access
- Multi-Party Agreement: Used when three or more properties share walls, common in Belgian townhouse rows and apartment complexes
- Temporary Works Agreement: Covers short-term construction or repair projects affecting party walls, with specific timelines and restoration requirements
Who should typically use a Party Wall Agreement?
- Property Owners: Both neighbors sharing the wall must sign the agreement. They're responsible for following its terms and sharing maintenance costs
- Architects: Often draft technical specifications and advise on structural modifications allowed under the agreement
- Building Contractors: Must follow the agreement's terms when performing work on shared walls
- Municipal Authorities: Review agreements during permit applications and ensure compliance with local building codes
- Legal Advisors: Help draft and review agreements to ensure they comply with Belgian property law and protect clients' interests
How do you write a Party Wall Agreement?
- Property Details: Gather cadastral plans, property boundaries, and current wall conditions with photos
- Planned Works: Document specific modifications, timeline, and technical specifications for any construction
- Neighbor Information: Collect contact details and property ownership proof for all adjoining owners
- Cost Arrangements: Calculate shared maintenance costs and define payment responsibilities
- Local Regulations: Check municipal building codes and permit requirements
- Technical Assessment: Obtain an architect's report on wall structure and proposed modifications
- Agreement Platform: Use our system to generate a legally compliant document incorporating all gathered information
What should be included in a Party Wall Agreement?
- Property Identification: Full addresses and cadastral references of both properties sharing the wall
- Ownership Details: Legal names and contact information of all property owners involved
- Wall Description: Technical specifications, current condition, and location of shared walls
- Rights and Obligations: Clear outline of each owner's maintenance responsibilities and usage rights
- Cost Distribution: Detailed breakdown of how maintenance and repair costs will be shared
- Construction Terms: Specific rules for modifications, including notice periods and approval processes
- Dispute Resolution: Procedures for handling disagreements under Belgian Civil Code
- Signatures Section: Dated signatures of all parties, with official witness acknowledgment
What's the difference between a Party Wall Agreement and a Contractor Agreement?
A Party Wall Agreement differs significantly from a Contractor Agreement, though they often intersect during renovation projects. While both deal with construction and property matters, their core purposes and scopes are quite different.
- Primary Purpose: Party Wall Agreements regulate shared wall rights between neighbors, while Contractor Agreements govern the relationship between property owners and construction professionals
- Duration: Party Wall Agreements remain valid indefinitely or until modified by mutual consent, whereas Contractor Agreements typically end once the specified work is complete
- Parties Involved: Party Wall Agreements are between adjacent property owners, while Contractor Agreements bind service providers and clients
- Legal Framework: Party Wall Agreements fall under Belgian property law and civil code provisions for shared structures, while Contractor Agreements operate under service and labor law regulations
Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal
骋别苍颈别鈥檚 Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here鈥檚 how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your documents are private:
We do not train on your data; 骋别苍颈别鈥檚 AI improves independently
All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation
Your documents are protected:
Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption
Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits
We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure
Organizational security
You retain IP ownership of your documents
You have full control over your data and who gets to see it
Innovation in privacy:
Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London
Together, we ran a 拢1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts
Want to know more?
Visit our for more details and real-time security updates.
Read our Privacy Policy.