If you’ve been served with a Party Wall Notice, you have a few possible courses of action. How you respond will determine what happens next and how your rights are protected under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
✅ Option 1: Consent to the Works
In many cases, the simplest option is to give your consent. Avoiding a dispute can help your neighbour’s project progress smoothly and maintain good relations.
That said, before consenting you should ensure:
- The Notice is valid – it must clearly identify the relevant sections of the Act, outline the proposed works, and provide the correct notice period.
If you’re unsure whether the Notice you’ve received is valid, it’s wise to seek advice from a qualified Party Wall Surveyor before signing anything.
⚠️ Option 2: Ignore the Notice
This is not advisable, but if you take no action, one of two outcomes will apply:
- You may be deemed to have consented, allowing works to go ahead once the notice period has expired.
- You may be deemed to have dissented, which triggers the need to appoint surveyors (either one agreed surveyor for both parties, or one each).
In either case, ignoring a Notice removes your control over the process — and can lead to complications later.
❌ Option 3: Dissent to the Works
If you’re concerned about the impact of the works, you have the right to formally dissent. This does not stop your neighbour from building, but it ensures additional protections are put in place.
You then have two choices:
- Appoint an Agreed Surveyor – both you and your neighbour use the same impartial surveyor.
- Appoint your own Surveyor – you choose your own, while your neighbour appoints theirs. Both surveyors will then select a Third Surveyor to step in if they cannot reach agreement.
The surveyors will draw up a Party Wall Award (Agreement), which sets out how the works should be carried out, including safeguards for your property.
👉 Importantly, in most cases the building owner pays the surveyors’ fees.
In Summary
- Consent if you’re satisfied the works are low-risk and properly documented.
- Dissent if you want additional legal protection and oversight.
- Don’t ignore a Party Wall Notice — it rarely works in your favour.