Most people don’t wake up thinking about the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. They discover it halfway through planning a loft conversion or extension—usually when a builder asks, “Have you served party wall notice yet?” or a neighbour says, “You’ll need something in writing.”
At Simple Survey, we start with one goal: work out quickly and confidently whether the Act applies. Not every project triggers it. But when it does, the right steps protect your timeline and reduce neighbour stress.
The three triggers we check first
In practice, nearly every party wall matter we handle falls into one (or more) of these categories:
1) You’re building at the boundary.
If you’re proposing a new wall right up to the boundary line, or anything that affects the line itself, the Act may be engaged. This is common with side extensions and boundary wall rebuilds.
2) You’re working on an existing party wall or party structure.
If you’re cutting into a shared wall, altering it, raising it, or otherwise changing it in a way that the Act recognises, you’re likely in party wall territory. This shows up a lot in loft conversions where structural elements interface with the shared wall.
3) You’re excavating near a neighbouring building.
Foundations are the big surprise for many homeowners. If you’re digging close to a neighbour and your excavation could go deeper than their foundations, the Act can apply. Rear extensions routinely fall into this category.
Our “yes/no” checklist (the quick version)
If you answer “yes” to any of these, it’s worth checking properly:
- Are you altering a wall shared with a neighbour?
- Are you building close to or on the boundary line?
- Are you excavating for foundations near a neighbour’s structure?
We’re strict on this because getting the trigger wrong costs time. Serve the wrong notice (or no notice) and you can end up restarting the process when your build programme is already locked in.
Why this matters for your build programme
Party wall isn’t “optional admin.” It’s a legal framework with response windows and defined next steps. When you start early, you stay in control. When you start late, the timetable controls you.
That’s why we advise clients to treat party wall like a design-stage item—right alongside drawings and structural calculations—rather than something to squeeze in a week before work begins.
Get Cost Saving Pro Advice Now
If you’re unsure whether your loft, extension, or foundation works trigger the Party Wall Act, get in touch with Simple Survey. We’ll confirm what applies and map the quickest compliant route. And we keep pricing simple, with party wall notices starting from £25 per adjoining ownership and agreed surveyor administration typically £300, depending on complexity and owners.