You’ve been good neighbours for years. You mention you’re finally cracking on with that extension, there’ll be a bit of noise, but nothing to worry about. Then, mid-build, your neighbour appears at the door furious about a “new” crack in their hallway. Words like “solicitor” and “injunction” start flying. Suddenly your dream project feels like a nightmare.
Here’s the truth: most of these flashpoints are avoidable. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 exists to keep projects moving and relationships intact—if you use it properly.
A Party Wall Notice protects both sides
When proposed works involve walls, floors or boundaries shared (or close) between properties, the Act requires you to serve a Party Wall Notice on the affected neighbour(s) before work starts. That notice does three big things for everyone involved:
- It sets expectations. Your neighbour gets formal, advance information about what you’re doing and when. Knowing the scope and timing of noisy or disruptive tasks makes people more tolerant and stops problems escalating into complaints.
- It creates a clear legal route. If your neighbour is unsure, they can consent or dissent formally. A dissent doesn’t stop your project; it simply triggers the appointment of surveyor(s) who’ll agree sensible safeguards and publish a binding Party Wall Award. That Award sets how, when and under what protections the works proceed—reducing ambiguity to nearly zero.
- It prevents “he-said, she-said”. With the proper process in place, there’s a defined framework for handling any issues during the works. If damage is alleged, the Award provides the protocol and the route to remedy or compensation. You’re not relying on memories, emotions or WhatsApp messages.
Skip the notice and you invite real risk
Starting notifiable works without serving notice hands your neighbour powerful options: they can seek an injunction to halt your site, and you could end up paying their legal costs. Your contractor won’t thank you for downtime either. Worse, informal “gentlemen’s agreements” almost always unravel once dust, noise and access needs kick in.
Serving notice early is not red tape for the sake of it—it’s an insurance policy for your budget, your timeline and your neighbourly relations.
“But we get on fine—do we really need the faff?”
Yes. Goodwill can evaporate in an afternoon if someone thinks their property is at risk. The Act is designed to keep that goodwill intact: it formalises what you’re doing, gives your neighbour a voice, and sets out a fair, neutral way to deal with concerns without running to court. Most owners who follow the process never see a dispute; they see a smooth build.
Access and cooperation become simpler
Extensions and boundary works often need brief access from next door (for example, to build and finish a flank wall neatly). With the Party Wall process underway, access can be agreed sensibly and safely. That means a faster, tidier build and a wall your neighbour is happy to look at for the next 30 years.
Avoid the easy mistakes that derail projects
Many DIY notices are invalid—wrong notice type, missing descriptions, incorrect owners, no excavation drawings where required, or the wrong lead-in period. An invalid notice can waste weeks and give your neighbour ready grounds to challenge you.
That’s why it pays to get the paperwork right the first time.
Let Simple Survey handle it—fast, correct, and cost-effective
We make the whole thing painless:
- We prepare and serve valid notices on every affected owner (freeholders and relevant leaseholders), using the correct sections and lead-in times.
- We liaise with neighbours in plain English, answering questions early to keep everything friendly.
- If a dissent is served, we coordinate next steps and introduce trusted, independent Party Wall Surveyors to agree the Award quickly and sensibly.
No drama. No expensive missteps. Just a compliant, neighbourly process that keeps your build on track.
Planning notifiable works? Start the right way.
Email team@simplesurvey.co.uk and we’ll sort your Party Wall Notices quickly and correctly—so you can focus on the build, not a bust-up.