Party Wall Agreement

A party wall is a wall located on or at the division line between adjoining premises and used by adjoining landowners in the construction or maintenance of improvements on their respective properties. Generally, each owner of adjoining lands on which a party wall stands owns the part of the wall that stands on the owner's land and has an easement on the other part. Party wall interests are dependent on the terms of an agreement between the adjoining landowners. Unless the party wall agreement provides otherwise, the duration of the adjoining owners interests in the wall ordinarily continue as long as the wall stands. Party wall easements are terminated on the accidental destruction of the wall and, under some circumstances, on substantial changes in conditions of the neighborhood. The terms of the party wall agreement can provide for termination under other circumstances.

Since a party wall easement is an interest in land, it may be created by express deed drawn and executed with the same formalities as any other deed to real estate, or by a deed provision granting or reserving party wall interests. A contract, or provision in a contract, may also operate to create party wall interests. The following form is a general form establishing a party wall. (more...)