UKC

I realise a specialist building forum would be best but thought I'd check the UKC collective first...

If I want to do a loft conversion that involves some interaction with the party walls (it's a mid-terrace), I'm meant to get approval from my neighbours but who actually checks i've got permission? I called building control and they said they don't need to view it as part of their checks, my friend is checking to see if it's checked at any stage during conveyancing a sale but that's seeming unlikely.

I only ask as the house to one side is empty and has been since I bought the house over 6 months ago. I've tried leaving letters through the door with my contact details but haven't heard from anyone. I've asked around the street but nobody has any contact details for the owners. I can't be assed to go through too much legal action over it as I'm only doing a very basic, cheap conversion. Involving Party Wall Act Surveyors and other things is going to make it expensive...

In reply to cha1n:

This is what was explained to me:
You appoint someone, they contact the neighbours. If the neighbours don't object then you crack on, if they do they appoint a party wall person (at your expense) and the two party wall people sort it out (i.e. compensation, access etc). The neighbours can't stop the work going ahead if you have PP and you don't need to sort the party wall stuff out until after PP has been approved

In reply to cha1n:

There's a booklet that explains the party wall act in a lot of detail (just google it). It's pretty useful. Specifically to answer your question:

'The Act contains no enforcement procedures for failure to serve a notice. However, if you start work without having first given notice in the proper way, Adjoining Owners may seek to stop your work through a court injunction or seek other legal redress.

An Adjoining Owner cannot stop someone from exercising the rights given to them by the Act, but may be able to influence how and at what times the work is done'

That's a direct quote. You don't need to pay compensation unless something goes wrong.