Boundary Fencing & Retaining Walls
Surveys for Boundary Retaining Walls
Retaining Wall Failing?
If your retaining wall is failing and needs replacing or significant repairs, an Identification Survey (a formal survey pegging the boundary) is the appropriate survey to show the location of the boundary and nearby structures.
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It will be required if parties are in dispute about location of structures.
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A Builder may also require this type of survey to ensure that all construction works are on the correct property.
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An Identification Survey will be required if the retaining wall is part of a building approval [BA] .
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Also, following a BA there will be a requirement for Form 12 certification - that the building work has been constructed wholly on the correct property
Things may look simple enough but boundaries are not always where you may think they are.
Fence location is not necessarily a reliable indicator.
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Boundary Retaining Walls -
Who Is Responsible?
Boundary retaining walls are the cause of many disputes between neighbours due to the costs involved in rectification and misunderstandings over who is responsible.
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The Surveyor cannot determine responsibility. The Surveyor can only show the location of the retaining wall in either a Site Plan or an Identification Survey.
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We have tried to provide some guidance on this question here using diagrams - click here
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Also you may find this article "Boundary Retaining Walls- Issues & Responsibilities" to be useful.
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Boundary Fences
Positioning a new boundary fence will also require a Boundary Identification Survey, the cost of which along with the cost of the fence is generally shared.
Unlike retaining walls, there is a law that governs all things related to boundary fences. The article mentioned above here goes into these issues in greater detail and is worth reading.
