How to find trustworthy guidance, sense-check it, and move forward with confidence
If you’ve clicked on this, you’ve either discovered you need to serve a Party Wall Notice or you’ve been served one.
The web is full of opinions, templates and “top tips”, but the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is a legal framework—getting it wrong costs time and money.
Here’s a surveyor’s deep dive into sourcing sound, impartial, simple and clear advice you can actually rely on.
1) Choose reliable sources first, opinions second
There are many voices—blogs, forums, commercial sites, and professional clubs. Treat them as helpful commentary, not gospel. When you’re checking the fundamentals (what’s notifiable, timings, service, responses, access, Awards), anchor yourself to primary and authoritative references:
- RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) – publishes consumer guides, professional guidance and best practice commentary on party wall matters.
- Pyramus & Thisbe Society (P&T) – long-standing technical society focused on party wall practice, with practitioner-led articles and discussions.
Use these two to fact-check any advice you’re given—even ours. If a claim can’t be reconciled with the Act or respected guidance, proceed with caution.
2) Speak to a qualified professional (titles matter)
A quirk of the Act: anyone can call themselves a “party wall surveyor”. That doesn’t make them competent. To reduce risk:
- Ask for credentials: look for AssocRICS, MRICS, FRICS (RICS membership routes backed by assessment, training and professional standards).
- Ask about core practice: do they regularly administer the Act (not just dabble)? What proportion of their caseload is party wall work?
- Ask for PI insurance: professionals carrying meaningful responsibility should carry professional indemnity.
- Ask for a clear scope: what’s included—Notices, ownership checks, service under s.15, Schedules of Condition, Award drafting, access clauses, damage protocol, post-works close-out?
- Ask for fixed fees: uncertainty over fees is where trust breaks down. Fixed, transparent pricing keeps everyone aligned.
Tip: A brief call with a chartered building surveyor who understands both law and building pathology often saves weeks of back-and-forth later.
3) Always get a second opinion (because the Act has “grey” edges)
The Act is legislation (black-and-white), but its application is nuanced:
- Validity of service where ownership is layered (freeholder, head-lease, sub-lease).
- Section 6 excavations: depth/distance calculations, drawings sufficiency, and risk controls.
- Access (s.8): what’s “necessary”, proportionate, and how protections should be framed.
- Award safeguards: hand-tool clauses, trench support time limits, temporary weathering, vibration/noise controls, and damage protocols.
- Security for Expenses (s.12): when it’s appropriate, how much, and how it’s held.
It’s normal for two competent surveyors to disagree at first. A second opinion helps you sense-check advice, calibrate expectations, and avoid unnecessary referrals to a Third Surveyor.
4) A simple framework for testing advice (before you rely on it)
A. Map it back to the Act
- Which section(s) apply—s.1 (line of junction), s.2 (works to party wall/structure), s.6 (adjacent excavation), s.8 (access), s.10 (dispute resolution), s.15 (service)?
- Are the lead times correct (typically 1 month for s.1/s.6; 2 months for s.2) and postal allowance added?
B. Check the paperwork
- For s.6, does the Notice include plans/sections with clear depths and distances to neighbouring structures?
- Are all Owners identified (freeholder + any leaseholders >1 year)?
- Is service being completed validly (post/hand/fixing/electronic with prior consent)?
C. Confirm the route after a dissent
- Are you being guided toward a proportionate appointment—Agreed Surveyor for modest risk vs two-surveyor route for complex or high-risk works (e.g., basements)?
- Will there be a Schedule of Condition, access provisions, and a clear damage procedure in the Award?
D. Interrogate the risk controls
- For works near sensitive fabric, does the draft Award include hand-tool clauses, time-limits for open trenches, and temporary weatherproofing where the roof or envelope is opened?
- For higher-risk works, is a checking/advising engineer or Security for Expenses being discussed appropriately?
If any of the above is missing or dismissed without reason, get a second view.
5) Common red flags (time to pause and re-check)
- “You don’t need Notices—your builder said so.”
- “Emailing a Notice is always fine.” (Only with prior written consent to electronic service.)
- “Your neighbour can’t dissent.” (They can—and often will.)
- “Access means we can come and go as we like.” (Access must be necessary, limited and protected under Award.)
- “We’ll sort a retrospective Award later.” (You can’t serve Notices/Awards retrospectively for completed notifiable works.)
6) Practical sequence to get dependable advice, fast
- Share drawings early (final/for construction where possible; provisional for timing if needed).
- Ownership check (Land Registry + managing agents if applicable) to identify every Owner.
- Short consultation with a chartered surveyor to confirm what’s notifiable and the correct notice mix.
- Serve valid Notices (s.15) with the right lead times.
- If dissent: agree the appointment route (Agreed Surveyor vs two surveyors) in line with risk and complexity.
- Keep the contractor in the loop—Awards are written in plain English for a reason. Protections only work if your team follows them.
Simple, fixed, nationwide pricing (no surprises)
Party Wall Notices
- Drafting + valid service (per Adjoining Owner) …………………… £25
Party Wall Awards
- Agreed Surveyor Award (both owners) …………………………….. from £300 (fixed)
- Building Owner’s Surveyor (two-surveyor route) ……………….. from £325 (fixed, our side)
We’re experienced building surveyors, RICS-qualified, and we keep communication clear with both owners to lower temperature and speed agreement.
Need party wall advice you can rely on—today?
Email your drawings and neighbour details. We’ll confirm what’s notifiable, who must be served, and set out a fixed-fee plan from Notice to Award.
Simple Survey — Nationwide • Fixed Fees • Experienced & Qualified
📧 team@simplesurvey.co.uk