Party wall agreements are the backbone of a smooth build when you’re working near shared boundaries in England & Wales. Get them right, and your project moves forward lawfully, neighbour relations stay positive, and costly delays are avoided. Get them wrong, and you risk stoppages, disputes, and avoidable expense.
Below is a clean, practical walkthrough of the process—from deciding whether you need to notify, through to completing the works in line with the law. No jargon. No drama.
What is a Party Wall Agreement?
Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, when proposed works could affect a shared wall/structure (party wall or party structure), a boundary line (new wall at/astride), or nearby foundations (adjacent excavation), you must serve a valid Party Wall Notice on every relevant neighbour.
If the neighbour consents in writing, you can generally proceed after the statutory notice period. If they dissent (or don’t reply), surveyor(s) are appointed and a Party Wall Award—a legally binding document—authorises the works and sets out how they must be carried out.
Step 1: Decide if the Act applies (and which section)
Ask three simple questions:
- Section 2 (party structures): Are you cutting into, altering, raising, demolishing/rebuilding, or otherwise working to a shared wall/party structure?
- Section 1 (line of junction): Are you building a new wall up to or astride the boundary?
- Section 6 (adjacent excavation): Are you excavating within 3m of a neighbouring structure and deeper than its foundations, or within 6m for deeper systems (e.g., piles)?
If yes to any, the Act applies and you’ll need to notify.
Tip: Map every neighbouring “owner” who may need notice—this can include freeholders and certain long leaseholders, not just the person next door.
Step 2: Serve valid Party Wall Notices—on time
Notices must include the right content and be served within the correct timeframe:
- Section 2 works: 2 months’ notice
- Section 1 or Section 6 works: 1 month’s notice
- Notices are valid for 12 months
Include:
- Your name and correspondence address
- The address of the works
- Which section(s) of the Act apply
- A clear description of the works and intended start date
- Plans/sections for excavation notices (Section 6)
Neighbours have 14 days to respond (consent/dissent). No reply = deemed dissent and the dispute-resolution route begins.
Step 3: Appoint surveyor(s) if there’s a dissent or no reply
There are two routes:
- Agreed Surveyor (one impartial party wall surveyor acting for both owners)
Fast, efficient, and typically the most economical. - Two Surveyors (each owner appoints their own)
Useful where confidence or complexity makes a joint appointment difficult.
In both routes, surveyor(s) act impartially under the Act. If two surveyors are appointed, they must also select a Third Surveyor at the outset, who is only called upon if the first two cannot agree.
Step 4: Receive and follow the Party Wall Award
The Award is a legally binding document that authorises the works and sets out:
- What is permitted, and on what basis
- Reasonable working arrangements and access terms
- Practical safeguards and neighbourly protections
- How costs are allocated under the Act
- How to handle issues that may arise during the works
Either owner can appeal to the county court within 14 days of service if they believe the Award is technically wrong or unreasonable in law.
Step 5: Carry out the works—by the book
Once the statutory notice period has elapsed, and any Award is in place (where required), you can proceed in line with its terms and timings. Keep communication friendly and prompt throughout. If circumstances change, update the other side and—if necessary—your surveyor so the process stays compliant and smooth.
Why doing it right matters
- Legality: Starting notifiable works without proper notice risks injunctions and expensive stoppages.
- Certainty: A valid consent or Award gives you a clear, defensible path to build.
- Cost control: Preventing disputes is always cheaper than curing them.
- Neighbour relations: Clear paperwork and courteous communication reduce friction.
Quick FAQs
Is planning permission the same as a party wall consent?
No—completely separate regimes. You may need both.
Can a neighbour “block” my lawful works?
No. A dissent triggers the surveyor process and an Award that allows compliant works to proceed fairly.
Who pays the party wall costs?
Typically, the person carrying out notifiable works pays the reasonable costs of administering the Act, including the neighbour’s surveyor where appointed.
What if my neighbour doesn’t reply?
After 14 days you can issue a 10-day request to appoint a surveyor. If they still don’t respond, a surveyor can be appointed on their behalf under Section 10(4).
How long does a notice last?
12 months from service.
Transparent, fixed pricing (guide)
- Party Wall Notice service: £25 per adjoining ownership (bundle discounts available)
- 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 side): 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 still offer fixed pricing as above
- No surprises, no creeping extras. You’ll know the number before we start.
Make your Party Wall paperwork fast, correct and stress-free
If you want compliant notices and a clean route to a watertight outcome—without paying over the odds—Simple Survey is set up for exactly that. We draft and serve the right notices, keep momentum through responses, and produce proportionate, enforceable Awards where needed.
Get a fast, fixed quote today: team@simplesurvey.co.uk
Simple Survey — Party Wall agreements done properly, quickly, and for less.