Planning a loft conversion that touches a shared wall or sits close to your neighbour’s structure? If your neighbour dissents to the notice, a Party Wall Award (also called a “party wall agreement”) will be put in place before work starts. While every project is different, awards for loft conversions tend to follow a consistent structure so both properties are protected and the build can proceed smoothly.
Below is a plain-English guide to the clauses and attachments you’ll typically see in a well-drafted loft conversion Party Wall Award.
1) Project Definition & Legal Basics
- Property details & ownership – Full addresses for both properties and the legal names of the owners.
- Surveyor appointments – Whether you’re using one Agreed Surveyor or two surveyors (and the Third Surveyor selection if applicable).
- Statutory notices referenced – Confirmation of the notice type(s) served (usually Section 2 for cutting into the party wall and Section 6 if there’s any qualifying excavation for new supports).
- Works authorised – A concise description of the loft conversion elements that fall within the Act (e.g., cutting pockets for steel beams, forming new openings in the party wall, raising/altering parapets, inserting flashings).
2) Drawings & Technical Information
- Structural drawings – Plans/sections/elevations relevant to the party wall elements (e.g., RSJ locations, padstone details, new dormer abutments).
- Method notes – A brief, practical sequence for key notifiable tasks (e.g., forming beam pockets, installing temporary support to your own structure, weathering to exposed junctions).
3) Time and Manner of Executing the Works
- Working hours – Standard local-authority-aligned hours for noisy operations on weekdays/Saturdays, and explicit prohibition of such works on Sundays/Bank Holidays.
- Programming & neighbour liaison – Reasonable advance notice to your neighbour before specific disruptive stages (e.g., cutting into the wall, forming roof abutments).
- Access logistics (if required) – Practical terms under Section 8 for short, necessary access from the neighbour’s side (e.g., to fix flashings or apply weathering), including protection and reinstatement duties.
4) Protections to the Adjoining Property
- Dust, debris, and water-ingress control – Sheeting, containment, and immediate weatherproofing when any part of a shared wall is exposed (e.g., during dormer tie-in).
- Vibration and noise management – Sensible limits (where appropriate) and a preference order for methods (e.g., chasing vs. impact breaking) to reduce nuisance.
- Weathering & flashings – Clear direction for flashings, soakers, and upstands at new roof/party wall interfaces (typical lead codes or pre-formed systems, lap lengths, and fixings).
- Temporary openings – How apertures in the party wall (if any) are created, temporarily closed, and permanently finished.
5) Party Wall-Specific Construction Rules
- Cutting into the party wall (s.2(2)(f)) – How to form beam pockets, bearings, padstones/plates and make good surrounds.
- Cutting away projections (s.2(2)(g)) – If redundant nibs or projections on your side need trimming to create headroom/align new structure.
- Raising/exposing the party wall (s.2(2)(a) & s.2(2)(n)) – If loft works expose the party wall or its top; weathering, parapet treatment, and any coping/capping requirements.
- Flashings into neighbour’s wall (s.2(2)(j)) – Where a dormer or new roof slope abuts the neighbour’s wall, detailing of flashings/soakers to avoid future water disputes.
6) Making Good and Compensation
- Make-good obligation – Clear obligation to make good any loss or damage caused by works executed under the Act, or compensate where appropriate.
- Payment in lieu – Where making good is impractical, the path to agree a reasonable sum instead.
- Loss & expense – How demonstrable, reasonable losses (if any) are addressed where they arise directly from notifiable works.
7) Costs and Fees
- Responsibility for reasonable costs – The owner carrying out the works typically bears the reasonable fees for administering the Act (including the other side’s surveyor where appointed).
- Third Surveyor costs – If a referral is necessary, the award will state who pays (often following the outcome of the referred issue).
8) Communication and Variations
- Point of contact – Named persons to receive notices and updates during the works.
- Minor variations process – A sensible pathway for dealing with small changes that don’t materially increase risk (e.g., revised beam size), often by way of surveyor confirmation or brief addendum.
9) Service & Appeal
- Service of the award – How it’s served (often electronically with consent) and when it takes effect.
- 14-day appeal window – Statutory right to appeal in the County Court within 14 days of service (used sparingly and usually only after legal advice).
Loft Conversion Elements Often Caught by the Act
- Steel beams or timbers bearing into the party wall
- Dormer side cheeks abutting a party wall (flashings/soakers)
- Raising/finishing a parapet where the new roof meets the wall
- Cutting away small projections on your side to gain space
- Any qualifying excavation for new supports close to a neighbour’s structure
FAQs
Do I always need an award for a loft conversion?
Many loft conversions involve cutting into the party wall or creating new roof/party wall junctions—both commonly notifiable. If in doubt, ask us to review your drawings.
Can we use a single Agreed Surveyor?
Yes—if both neighbours are comfortable. It’s often the fastest and most economical route to a fair, enforceable award.
How long do awards take for lofts?
With prompt cooperation and complete drawings, straightforward loft awards are typically concluded within the statutory notice window. Complexity, extra owners (e.g., freeholder/leaseholders), or late information can add time.
Who pays the surveyor fees?
Ordinarily, the person undertaking the works pays the reasonable costs of administering the Act, including the other side’s surveyor where appointed.
What happens if my neighbour ignores my notice?
The Act provides a mechanism to keep things moving if there’s no response after the statutory periods. We’ll handle the steps and keep momentum.
Transparent, Fixed Pricing (guide)
- Party Wall Notice service: £25 per adjoining ownership (multi-notice bundles discounted)
- Act administration as Agreed Surveyor (single surveyor): typically £300 fixed-fee (depends on complexity and number of notices/owners)
- Two-surveyor route (we act for the building side): fixed-fee proposals from £325 for our role (the neighbour’s surveyor may bill hourly; we work to keep those fees reasonable and contained)
- Complex works (deep excavations, multi-owner blocks): we’ll still offer fixed pricing on the same transparent basis
No surprises, no creeping extras. You’ll know the number before we start.
Need a clean, fast award for your loft conversion?
Simple Survey keeps your project moving: compliant notices, lean awards, and crystal-clear pricing. Tell us what you’re planning and we’ll map the exact Party Wall path—quickly and cost-effectively.
Email: team@simplesurvey.co.uk
Simple Survey — Party Wall made simple, fast, and affordable.