When a neighbour says “yes” to your Party Wall Notice, everything speeds up: fewer costs, fewer emails, and a cleaner path to site. Consent isn’t luck—it’s the result of a simple, respectful process that gives your neighbour clarity and confidence.
Below is a proven, three-step playbook we use to turn wary neighbours into willing signatories—without pressure, and fully within the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Step 1 — Prepare well and talk early
Lead with neighbourliness, not paperwork. A calm conversation before formal notices land is the single biggest driver of consent.
What to do
- Share the big picture: What you’re building, where, and roughly when. Avoid jargon; show how you’ll manage noise, dust, and access.
- Address typical worries upfront: working hours, deliveries, scaffolding, privacy, and how you’ll deal with any issues that crop up.
- Be realistic about timing: Explain the Act’s notice periods (one month for Section 1 & 6; two months for Section 2) and that you’re planning early to avoid surprises.
- Use visuals that make sense: A one-page plan or key drawing helps a neighbour understand what actually changes next to their home.
What not to do
- Don’t promise anything you can’t control (e.g., “no noise at all”).
- Don’t frame the Act as optional—it’s not. The point is to reassure, not to negotiate the law away.
Step 2 — Serve a neighbour-friendly, legally correct notice
Even friendly neighbours get spooked by unclear paperwork. A crisp, compliant notice shows you’re organised, respectful, and serious about doing things right.
Make your notice hard to say “no” to
- Get the basics right: Correct names/addresses, the right section(s) of the Act, lawful start date (after the statutory period), and your signature/date.
- Describe the notifiable elements plainly: e.g., “Cutting pockets into the party wall to seat new steel beams” (Section 2) or “Excavations to 1.0 m depth within 3.0 m of your structure” (Section 6).
- Include the required drawings for excavation notices: Plan and section so they can see depth and distance.
- Add a clean response form: Three options, clearly explained—consent, dissent & appoint their own surveyor, or dissent & use one Agreed Surveyor.
- Offer reasonable comforts in writing: Typical working hours, advance notice of loud activities, site contacts. You’re not writing an award—you’re showing good intent.
Why this works: Consent is easiest when a neighbour can see exactly what’s planned, when it starts, and how they’ll be treated day-to-day.
Step 3 — Follow through quickly and respectfully
Once your notice is served, momentum and tone matter.
Keep it easy to say “yes”
- Be available: Reply quickly to questions and route technical queries to your designer or surveyor so nothing lingers.
- Offer to walk the boundary: A short chat on the spot often dissolves doubts better than a long email thread.
- Make consent flexible: Remind them that consent doesn’t strip away their rights under the Act if a specific dispute arises later—they can still raise issues and, if needed, bring a surveyor into the process.
- Give them time (but not forever): They have 14 days to respond. A polite reminder near day 10 is helpful, not pushy.
If they’re hesitant, suggest a light-touch route
- Agreed Surveyor option: A single impartial surveyor for both sides is usually faster and cheaper than two. Many neighbours will consent once they know an expert can be engaged later if needed.
Extra tips that consistently boost consent
- Don’t serve at the last minute. The earlier the notice, the calmer the response.
- Keep your story consistent. What you say over the fence should match what’s on the page.
- Treat consent as a privilege, not a right. The Act is enabling, but courtesy converts.
FAQs
Does consenting mean my neighbour can do anything they like?
No. Consent simply means you’re not triggering the dispute pathway now. Your neighbour must still comply with the Act and any other legal requirements.
Can a neighbour consent with conditions?
Yes—reasonable, clear conditions in writing (e.g., standard working hours, advance notice of heavy demolition) are common and help everyone.
If a neighbour consents, can they change their mind later?
They can still raise a specific dispute about a matter connected to the works later. At that point, surveyor(s) can be appointed to resolve it under Section 10.
What if the neighbour ignores the notice?
After 14 days with no reply, serve the 10-day follow-up. If there’s still no response, the Act deems a dispute and you can appoint a surveyor on their behalf to keep the process moving.
Is consent faster than dissent?
Almost always. That’s why clarity, courtesy, and early engagement pay off.
Transparent, fixed pricing
- Party Wall Notice service: £25 per adjoining ownership (multi-notice bundles discounted).
- Act administration as Agreed Surveyor (single surveyor): typically £300 fixed-fee, depending on complexity and number of notices/owners.
- Two-surveyor route (we act for the building owner): fixed-fee proposals from £325 for our side. (The adjoining owner’s surveyor often bills hourly; we work to keep those costs reasonable and contained.)
- Complex works (deep excavations, multi-owner blocks): we’ll still offer the fixed pricing above.
- No surprises, no creeping extras. You’ll know the number before we start.
Bottom line
Consent is earned. Speak early, serve correctly, and follow through with calm, practical assurances. Do that, and most neighbours will sign—saving you weeks and serious money.
Want notice-to-consent, fast?
Email team@simplesurvey.co.uk—we’ll draft, serve, and help you secure a clean consent with the least friction and the lowest total cost.
Simple Survey — quick, correct, and cost-effective Party Wall paperwork.