If a Party Wall Notice has just landed through your door, you may be wondering what it means. In simple terms, it indicates that your neighbour intends to carry out construction work covered by the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. These works have the potential to affect your property, and therefore your consent (or response) is required.
What Types of Work Are Covered?
The details of the proposed works should be set out in the notice itself, but they usually fall into one or more of the following categories:
- Building on the boundary line – for example, constructing a wall on or across the boundary (often seen in rear extensions), sometimes with footings projecting onto your land.
- Demolition of a boundary wall – removing an existing wall that sits directly on the line of junction.
- Works to a shared wall (party wall) – such as inserting steel beams for a loft conversion, cutting in lead flashing, or installing a damp-proof course.
- Alterations to a garden boundary wall (party fence wall) – including demolition or rebuilding of a brick or masonry wall between gardens.
- Excavations close to your property – digging within 3 metres of your building and deeper than your foundations, or within 6 metres if the excavation intersects with a 45° line from the base of your foundations. These rules exist to reduce the risk of undermining your property’s stability.
- Construction of special foundations – commonly associated with basement developments, where reinforced foundations may extend beneath the neighbour’s land.
👉 In short, receiving a Party Wall Notice doesn’t mean works have already begun — it’s a formal step to notify you and give you the chance to respond under the Act.