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If your planned works fall within the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, you have a legal duty to serve a written Party Wall Notice on every affected neighbour (the Adjoining Owner). The notice tells them what you intend to do and starts the formal process that protects both...

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 provides a clear framework for resolving disputes where building works may affect a neighbour’s property. Its aim is twofold: to enable the Building Owner’s works to proceed lawfully, and to protect Adjoining Owners from unnecessary risk...

If you’ve received a Party Wall Notice under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, you have three ways to respond. Think of them as green, amber, and red—each perfectly valid, just different levels of formality and protection. ✅ GREEN — Consent You consent in writing and the...

Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, response periods are fixed in law so the process moves fairly and efficiently. Here are the key clocks to watch. 1) Initial Party Wall Notice — 14 days From the day the Adjoining Owner receives the notice, they have 14 days to reply...

If you’re the Building Owner planning works that could affect a shared wall, boundary, or nearby structure, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 likely applies. Serving the correct notices early keeps your project lawful, reduces friction, and protects both properties. What...

Section 12 of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 allows either neighbour to require Security for Expenses before notifiable works begin. In plain terms, it’s money held on account to cover foreseeable damage and urgent protection/support measures if something goes wrong...

Under Section 11(11) of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, if an Adjoining Owner later makes use of work that was originally built and paid for solely by the Building Owner, the Adjoining Owner must pay a due (fair) proportion of the cost of that work. Crucially, the Act...

Yes. If your works fall within the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, you have a statutory duty to serve a written Party Wall Notice on every affected neighbour (the Adjoining Owner) before you start. Failing to do so risks court action (injunctions), delay, and additional...

Understanding whether your proposed works are notifiable under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, ensures that you are able to correctly serve a Party Wall Notice and ensure that Adjoining Owners receive the correct notice. The Act grants rights under Sections 1, 2, and 6,...

Once you know your works are notifiable under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, the next step is working out who must receive notice. Get this wrong and even a perfectly drafted notice can be invalid. Who counts as an “owner”? (Section 20) Under s.20, an owner includes:...

Once you’ve confirmed your works are notifiable under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, the next decision is whether to draft and serve the notices yourself or instruct a surveyor. I’ll keep this balanced. Option A — Do it yourself (DIY) There are reputable templates...

Party wall notices are legal documents, so they must be served correctly. Section 15 of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 sets out the permitted methods. 1) Personal service (by hand) Hand delivery is fine only if it’s delivered to the person in question. If no one is...

Silence happens more than you’d think. Owners move without updating the Title, go on extended trips, or simply don’t deal with paperwork. In practice, Party Wall Notices can get a non response. The Act anticipates this—and provides a way to keep your project moving...

For many Building Owners, the most worrying response to a Party Wall Notice isn’t just a dissent—it’s the Adjoining Owner appointing a separate surveyor. Some projects even get cancelled at this point. That’s understandable—but usually unnecessary. Who’s in control...

For most Building Owners, the ideal outcome after serving Party Wall Notices is a written consent—you still gain the Act’s benefits (like statutory access) without paying for surveyors to make an Award. In practice, though, consents are uncommon (anecdotally ~1 in 5)....

When an Adjoining Owner dissents to a Party Wall Notice, there are two routes: Appoint your own surveyor, or Concur in a single Agreed Surveyor acting for both owners. Cost: why an Agreed Surveyor is usually cheaper In many cases, one impartial surveyor costs less...

When a Party Wall Notice is served and the Adjoining Owner doesn’t consent within 14 days, a dispute arises under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Each owner then appoints a surveyor (or both agree on one Agreed Surveyor). The document those surveyor(s) produce to...

Once a Party Wall Award is agreed, it must be served on the owners “forthwith”— without delay. Here’s how that works in practice and how to avoid timing traps around the 14-day appeal period. Ink, Pen & Paper Historically, service under s.15 meant hard copy...

Where an Adjoining Owner suffers loss or damage arising from works within the scope of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 and the statutory procedures have been followed, the Act provides a framework for how that damage is to be made good or compensated. Why “procedures...

In the previous post, we reached the stage where the Adjoining Owner has gathered evidence and prepared a damage claim. The next step is to present the claim to the Building Owner with a clear deadline—after which you’ll treat the matter as in dispute. This avoids...

Before notifiable works begin, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 requires the Building Owner to serve formal notice and either obtain consent or proceed via the Section 10 dispute route. BUT WHAT IF THEY DON’T? Here’s a practical guide to your options—and your limits—when...

Owners often worry when a neighbour appoints a surveyor without a pre-agreed fee. Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, that’s perfectly normal—what matters is that the final fee is reasonable. The Legal Backbone (s.10(13)) The Act refers to “reasonable costs.” Who pays...

When the Building Owner and Adjoining Owner appoint separate surveyors but those surveyors cannot resolve a point, the third surveyor provides the tie-break mechanism under Section 10 of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Here’s how it works in practice. 1) Selection must...

It’s a little-known fact that a building owner’s contractors have rights of access under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Most of the time, access works smoothly with a bit of notice and neighbourly courtesy. But what if the Adjoining Owner refuses, isn’t available, or...

It’s easy to see the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 as bureaucracy. In reality, the Act was designed to enable well-planned building works while protecting neighbours. Used properly, it gives you rights you wouldn’t otherwise have—and helps you deliver a better project with...

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 enables building works that might affect shared structures or neighbouring land to proceed without unnecessary inconvenience to the Adjoining Owner. It does this by setting a simple framework of notice, response, and expert determination....

Background Building Owners Amit and Sonal Patel proposed works subject to the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. They appointed Justin Burns as their surveyor. The Adjoining Owners appointed Grant Wright.Principal Awards were made (two by Mr Burns and a Third Surveyor; one ex...

Snapshot In 2018, building works were carried out at a home in Dagenham without serving any Party Wall etc. Act 1996 notices on the neighbours. Damage was alleged, surveyors became involved anyway, and an “award” was issued—only for the courts to later hold that,...

When does Section 6 apply? Excavation becomes notifiable under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 if either of these tests is met: The 3-metre test (s.6(1)) You propose to excavate within 3 metres (measured horizontally) of any part of an Adjoining Owner’s building or...

Construction next door can be stressful. Clear rules on when and how noisy work happens make life easier for everyone. This guide explains typical local authority hours, how Party Wall Awards can control the time and manner of notifiable works, who actually enforces...

Section 1 of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 deals with new walls at the line of junction (the boundary). There are two common routes: s.1(2): Build astride the boundary (half on each owner’s land) — requires the Adjoining Owner’s written consent. s.1(5): Build a new...

Once you’ve confirmed your works are notifiable under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, the next step is making sure you serve valid Party Wall Notices on every Adjoining Owner. Using Templates: A Good Start—If Done Properly The UK Government provides example Party Wall...

When works affect a party wall/party structure, the Building Owner must usually serve a Party Structure Notice under Section 2 of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Below are the most common categories—what they involve, why they’re notifiable, and practical notes to keep...

This guide explains how long Party Wall Notices remain effective, the minimum lead-in periods before works can start, and how to calculate the time limits set by the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 (“the Act”). 1) Minimum notice periods (before works may begin) The Act sets...

When a Party Wall Notice is served on an Adjoining Owner, there are only three possible outcomes: consent, dissent, or no reply (which is treated as a dissent). An instant consent is ideal—but not guaranteed. Here’s how the other two paths work in practice under the...

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 sets the ground rules when building works are planned on or near a shared boundary. If you’re an Adjoining Owner, knowing your rights—and how to use them—helps protect your property and keeps projects neighbourly and compliant. 1) Your...

When a party wall dispute arises, one of the first decisions is how to appoint surveyors. You can either jointly instruct one Agreed Surveyor or each appoint your own surveyor. Below is a practical comparison to help you choose the right route for your project and...

When works are planned on or near a shared boundary, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 provides the rules of engagement. If activity starts next door—or you hear about plans—it can be hard to know when to step in. This guide explains when Adjoining Owners should seek...

A party fence wall is a masonry wall (brick, block, or concrete) that does not form part of a building and sits on land belonging to two different owners. Because it must be masonry, timber fences are not party fence walls. It’s common for the legal boundary to run...

When you’re planning home improvements, getting the legal steps right is just as important as the design. A key piece of legislation in England and Wales is the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Misunderstandings about the Act can cause delays, disputes, and extra cost—so...

A letter from a Party Wall Surveyor about works next door can feel unsettling. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 sets out clear rights and procedures—once you know them, it’s much easier to decide what to do. First things first: what landed on your doormat? Formal Party...

When you’re planning building work on or near a shared boundary, a Party Wall Award is essential. Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, certain works in England and Wales require a formal agreement to protect everyone’s rights and ensure projects proceed smoothly. What...

Maximising floor space with an extension is appealing, but the closer you build to your boundary, the more important it is to get the legal and practical details right. Start With the Boundary—Not the Fence Your title deeds set out the legal boundary of your land. The...

Lead flashings are a small detail with a big job. They protect your home from water ingress, safeguarding the building fabric and helping you avoid costly repairs. Knowing what they do, who maintains them, and when the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies will keep your...

Planning a loft conversion, extension or basement? If your works touch a shared wall, sit on or near the boundary, or involve deeper excavations close to your neighbour, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is likely to apply. The Act creates a clear, legal pathway that lets...

If you or your neighbour are planning a side extension, loft conversion, basement, or structural alterations near the boundary, there’s a good chance the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies. Unknown to some, the Act sets out a simple legal framework that allows building...

Also known (incorrectly) as a “party wall agreement” What is a Party Wall Award? A Party Wall Award is a legally binding document made by party wall surveyor(s) under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. It sets out what work can be done, how and when it must be done, and...

If you or your neighbour plan a kitchen extension, loft conversion, basement or any work close to a shared boundary in England or Wales, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is likely to apply. The Act exists to let well‑designed projects proceed while protecting adjoining...

For homeowners and developers in England & Wales If you or your neighbour are planning a kitchen extension, loft conversion, basement, or any work close to a shared boundary, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 (“the Act”) probably matters to you. Its job is simple: let...

For homeowners and developers in England & Wales Quick note: This guide explains the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 in practical terms. It’s not a substitute for legal advice and it’s separate from planning permission and Building Regulations. Many projects need all...