Non-response is one of the most frustrating parts of party wall. You’ve tried to do the right thing. You’ve served notice. And then… nothing.
At Simple Survey, we handle non-response calmly for one reason: the Act anticipates it. Silence isn’t a dead end. It’s a scenario with defined next steps.
First: silence is not consent
A common misconception is that a lack of reply equals agreement. It doesn’t. The party wall process is built around written responses and defined routes when those responses don’t arrive.
That’s why we never advise clients to “wait and see” indefinitely. Waiting rarely helps a build programme.
Why neighbours go quiet
In our experience, non-response is usually caused by one of these:
- they don’t understand the notice
- they’re busy and avoiding paperwork
- they’re worried and don’t know the consequences
- they assume ignoring it blocks your project
Our job is to remove uncertainty and keep the process procedural rather than emotional.
What happens next in practical terms
When consent doesn’t arrive, the process can move into the formal appointment route. This is where an agreed surveyor route can sometimes help—if both sides are willing—or separate surveyor appointments may be needed.
The key point is this: your project doesn’t have to be held hostage by silence, but your next steps must be correct and compliant.
How we reduce the chance of non-response
We focus on clarity and tone. Many notices fail because they read like legal threats or vague builder notes. We write notices that explain what’s happening in plain language, while staying properly aligned to the Act’s requirements.
Clear notices don’t guarantee replies—but they do reduce fear, and fear is the biggest driver of silence.
Keeping your build programme realistic
The best defence against non-response is time. If you serve notices early, non-response becomes manageable rather than catastrophic. If you serve notices late, the statutory timetable collides with your builder’s timetable and everything gets harder.
Get Cost Saving Pro Advice Now
If your neighbour hasn’t replied—or you want to reduce the risk of being stuck in limbo—get in touch with Simple Survey. We’ll keep the process compliant and cost-effective, starting with notices from £25 per adjoining ownership, and we’ll guide you through the correct next steps if silence turns into the formal procedure.