A party wall question

We live in a standard 1920s terrace house and are planning to convert our loft, adding a simple rectangular dormer to the roof. We have contracted a specialist loft conversion company to do the work, which comes under permitted development (ie, no planning permission required) but is subject to building regulations. An independent building inspector will oversee the work and liaise with the local authority.

One neighbour, an owner-occupier, has happily signed the party wall agreement; the other, an absentee landlord, has refused and is insisting we pay for a surveyor to come in and do whatever he needs to do. Apparently, the letting agency has recommended this particular surveyor (hello, referral fee), and her motivation is a desire to ‘protect her asset’. As I understand it, this could add up to an extra £2k to the final bill – a not inconsiderable sum given our tight budget.

My question to those of you in the know: should I just suck it up or do I have wriggle room? As I see it, a loft conversion is a routine procedure (unlike, say, a basement dig or three-metre kitchen extension – the builders are only cutting into six bricks)) and unlikely to cause any problems – though if it does, that’s why I have gone with a reputable company with all the proper insurance. I think she is keen to have an official piece of paper to wave in case she sells (again, I suspect the letting agency has oversold the importance of this to her), but what riles me is that the surveyor can take his sweet time and charge as much as he sees fit. Or have I got that wrong? I’m no expert.

Any wisdom or advice to offer? Thanks.

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A party wall question