If you’ve received a Party Wall Notice under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, it’s important to respond — but what happens if you don’t? Likewise, as a Building Owner, you need to know your legal rights if your neighbour chooses to ignore your notice. This guide explains what really happens when a Party Wall Notice is ignored.
Why a Party Wall Notice Matters
A Party Wall Notice is a legal document served on an Adjoining Owner to inform them of planned works that could affect a shared or neighbouring structure, such as:
- Building or extending walls along the boundary line
- Excavating close to a neighbour’s foundations
- Altering, repairing, or demolishing a shared wall
The notice gives your neighbour 14 days to respond. They can:
- Consent to the works
- Dissent and trigger the surveyor process
- Request more information
If they fail to respond within this timeframe, the law treats it as a dissent.
What Happens if a Notice Is Ignored?
Step 1: Appointment of a Surveyor
If no response is received, the Building Owner is entitled to appoint a surveyor on behalf of the Adjoining Owner. Alternatively, both parties can agree to use one impartial surveyor (known as the Agreed Surveyor).
Step 2: Party Wall Award
The surveyor(s) will prepare a Party Wall Award — a legally binding document that:
- Defines the scope and method of works
- Sets out rights and responsibilities for both owners
- Includes protections for the Adjoining Owner’s property
- Provides a framework for resolving disputes
Step 3: Works Can Begin
Once the Award is served, the Building Owner can lawfully proceed with the works. Skipping this process — or starting work without an Award in place — risks injunctions, fines, costly delays, and damage to neighbourly relations.
Risks of Ignoring a Notice
- For Adjoining Owners:
- Rights may be decided without their input.
- They lose the chance to negotiate conditions or request modifications.
- Works can proceed regardless, as long as the Act has been followed.
- For Building Owners:
- Failing to comply with the Act can result in legal action, financial penalties, and project delays.
How Simple Survey Can Help
At Simple Survey, we make the Party Wall process clear and straightforward. Our services include:
- Drafting and serving legally valid Party Wall Notices
- Acting as impartial surveyors for either Building or Adjoining Owners
- Preparing detailed Party Wall Awards that protect everyone involved
With our expertise, you can be confident your project will comply with the law and move forward without unnecessary disputes.
📩 Contact team@simplesurvey.co.uk, England and Wales’ most cost effective Party Wall Surveying team with Party Wall Notice fees from £25.00 and Party Wall Award fees capped at £325.00. We will not be beaten on price!