Articles

Appointing one “Agreed Surveyor” (jointly by both owners) is often billed as the fastest, cheapest way to resolve a Party Wall dispute under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Sometimes, it absolutely is. But “one surveyor for both sides” isn’t a magic bullet—and in...

If you’re planning works that fall under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, the very first legal step is service of a valid Party Wall Notice. Here’s the blunt truth: verbal notices don’t count. A quick chat over the fence is great neighbourliness, but it does not start...

When a Party Wall Notice is met with silence, projects can stall and tempers can fray. The good news? The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 anticipates non-responses and provides a clear route forward. This FAQ explains exactly what happens next, who does what, and how to keep...

When works fall under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, access is often the make-or-break issue. Scaffolds, flashing into a neighbour’s wall, raising or repairing a party fence wall, or excavation close to a structure—all can require stepping onto the adjoining land....

Under Section 10 of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, two appointed surveyors must “forthwith” select a Third Surveyor. Most files never need them. But when negotiations stall—or a narrow point of law or procedure needs a definitive answer—the Third Surveyor is the...

Great party wall surveying isn’t just about quoting the Act. It’s the craft of converting potential flashpoints into clear, fair, and actionable agreements—so projects can move forward without unnecessary friction. The “art” sits where law, construction, and people...

If you’re about to trigger the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, you’ve probably discovered two things fast: prices are all over the place, and service quality varies even more. Here’s a clear, no-spin comparison of Simple Survey versus the typical market experience—so you...

When you’re navigating the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, the person you appoint can accelerate your project—or derail it. Because “Party Wall Surveyor” isn’t a protected title, anyone can call themselves one. That makes it vital to understand the difference between...

A friendly chat over the fence is great. Relying on an informal “party wall agreement/contract” instead of using the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is not. However well-intentioned, a private agreement can leave both sides exposed—legally, financially, and practically....

Party Wall compliance doesn’t have to be slow, mysterious, or expensive. A Simple Party Wall Agreement (Award) is a clear, proportionate document that authorises the notifiable parts of your project under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, sets practical conditions so the...

When you’re budgeting for an extension, loft conversion, basement, or structural alterations, the last thing you need is a surprise bill from the party wall process. At Simple Survey, we keep your Party Wall Agreement (Award) straightforward, compliant,...

Planning a loft conversion, rear extension, basement, or structural alterations near a boundary? If you’re in England & Wales, you’ll likely meet the Party Wall etc. Act 1996—and the document everyone talks about: the Party Wall Agreement (formally a Party Wall...

If you’re planning a loft conversion, rear extension, basement works, or any structural change near a boundary, you’ll keep hearing: “Check the Government’s Party Wall explanatory booklet.” Good advice. The booklet is the official plain-English guide to the Party Wall...

Planning a loft conversion, rear extension or structural alterations? If your works touch a shared wall, sit on/near a boundary, or involve deeper foundations, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 likely applies. The Act is a work-enabling framework: it grants rights to build...

Planning a loft conversion, rear extension or internal structural changes? If your proposals touch shared structures, sit on or near a boundary, or involve deeper excavations, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is likely in play. Far from being mere red tape, the Act is a...

Skipping Party Wall Notices might feel like a shortcut. In reality, it’s one of the costliest ways to derail a project. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is designed to enable development while protecting neighbours; ignore it and you risk injunctions, loss of statutory...

Getting Party Wall timings right is the difference between a smooth start on site and an avoidable delay. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 sets out clear clocks: how early you must notify, how long neighbours have to respond, when a dispute is deemed to arise, and how...

Planning a loft, rear extension or basement and wondering how to keep things smooth with the neighbours? The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is there to enable your build while protecting both sides—but only if you follow the process cleanly. Below are practical,...

Breaking into party wall work is exciting—and a little daunting. You’ll juggle law, diplomacy, drafting, and deadlines, often under pressure from owners eager to build. Below are field-tested tips to help you deliver clean, defensible work under the Party Wall etc....

When you’re the contractor on a scheme that brushes up against a neighbour’s wall, boundary or foundations, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is as important to your programme as the concrete wagon. Get it wrong and you risk stoppages, injunctions, and a bruised client...

Getting party wall strategy right at RIBA Stages 1–3 saves your client time, budget, and neighbour goodwill later. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 isn’t just a legal afterthought—it shapes how you detail, sequence, and even set out your scheme. Here are the design-stage...

When works next door go wrong, it can feel stressful and urgent. The good news: the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 gives a clear route to put things right—quickly and fairly—without jumping straight to costly litigation. Whether you’re the Building Owner or the Adjoining...

When you’re ready to build, every day counts. A fast Party Wall Award keeps your programme moving while staying fully compliant with the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. At Simple Survey, we’ve designed a lean, digital-first process that removes friction, reduces disputes,...

Need your Party Wall Notices out today so your project can stay on track? Our Same-Day Party Wall Notice Service is built for homeowners, architects and developers who can’t afford avoidable delays. We draft, verify and serve compliant notices under Sections 1, 2...

Looking for rock-solid Party Wall support that doesn’t torch your budget? That’s exactly why Simple Survey exists. We’ve engineered a lean, digital-first service that delivers everything you need to comply with the Party Wall etc. Act 1996—at the lowest total cost we...

Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, when each owner appoints their own surveyor, those two surveyors must “forthwith” select a Third Surveyor. Think of the Third Surveyor as the built-in tie-breaker: a neutral decision-maker who only steps in if there’s a dispute the...

When a party wall file bogs down, many owners reach for the nuclear option: “I’ll sack my surveyor.” In ordinary consultancy relationships that may be fine. Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, however, once a surveyor is formally appointed under Section 10, you can’t...

Finding a Party Wall Notice on your doormat can feel like the starting gun for months of noise, dust and disruption. It’s natural to think: I don’t want this to happen at all. But under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, outright vetoing your neighbour’s notifiable works...

Most party wall matters run smoothly when both surveyors act promptly, proportionately, and within the four corners of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. But every so often, you’ll encounter an adjoining owner’s surveyor who is slow, adversarial, or simply unfamiliar with...

Winning a neighbour’s consent under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is the fastest, lowest-cost route to starting your project. While no one can force a consent—and dissent is a perfectly valid choice—there’s plenty you can do to make “yes” the easy answer. Here’s a...

Introduction Party Wall disputes rarely appear out of thin air. They usually stem from the same avoidable mistakes: patchy communication, late or inaccurate notices, and unclear construction details. Getting ahead of these issues isn’t just good manners—it protects...

Serving Party Wall Notices can feel like stepping into a maze of rules, acronyms, and deadlines—right when you’re trying to keep a build on programme and on budget. The good news: most worries are predictable, solvable, and often avoidable with the right approach....

A Party Wall Notice can feel intimidating, especially if it’s your first time seeing one. The letter looks formal, the timelines are tight, and the works next door might sound disruptive. Take a breath—most concerns are predictable and can be handled calmly within the...

Thinking about an extension, loft conversion, or digging new foundations? If the works touch a shared wall, boundary, or your neighbour’s foundations, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 may apply. Here are the ten questions we hear most often—answered clearly, without...

Thinking about an extension or other work near a neighbour? If the works could affect a shared wall, boundary or nearby foundations, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 probably applies. The Act isn’t there to block projects—it’s a framework that lets you build while...

Selecting a party wall surveyor isn’t just a box-ticking exercise—it can shape the pace, cost and harmony of your entire project. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 gives surveyors real authority to resolve disputes and set legally binding terms, so the person you appoint...

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is designed to facilitate lawful building works while protecting neighbours. Even so, you may disagree with elements of a proposal or how it’s being carried out. Below are proportionate routes—starting with the least combative—to help you...

If your neighbour serves a Party Wall Notice about upcoming construction, you must reply in writing within the statutory timeframe set by the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Your options are: 1) Consent If you’re comfortable with the proposals, you may consent in writing....

When two properties share a wall or boundary wall, Section 2 of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 grants the Building Owner specific rights to carry out works to that party wall or party fence wall (a shared garden wall). These rights go beyond common-law permissions, but...

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is the statutory framework for managing building works that could affect shared walls, boundaries, or nearby structures in England and Wales (not just London). It aims to prevent damage, minimise disruption, and provide a fair, structured...

When both owners appoint their own party wall surveyors, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 requires those two surveyors to select a Third Surveyor. This creates a ready-made route to resolve disagreements so the process doesn’t stall. Selected vs Appointed: The Key...

If your neighbour (the Building Owner) serves a Party Wall Notice under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, you must decide how to respond. There are three main options—and a fall-back if you don’t reply. 1) Consent (in writing) You can consent if you’re comfortable with...

If you’re planning works that fall under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, the first formal step is serving a Party Wall Notice on your neighbour(s). Setting the right expectations from the outset will save you stress, time and money. Should I expect my neighbour to...

A Party Wall Notice is a formal document served under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 when planned works could affect a party wall, party fence wall (masonry boundary wall), or other party structures (including floors/ceilings between flats). The Act applies in England...

Selecting a party wall surveyor isn’t just a box-ticking exercise—it can shape the pace, cost and harmony of your entire project. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 gives surveyors real authority to resolve disputes and set legally binding terms, so the person you appoint...

Section 10 of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 sets out exactly how disputes are handled once a Party Wall Notice has been served and the Adjoining Owner either dissents or doesn’t reply. The three notice responses (the trigger point) Consent – procedures pause; no award...

If you’re planning works that fall within the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, you must serve a written Party Wall Notice on every affected Adjoining Owner before starting. The notice triggers a simple, legal process that protects both sides and keeps projects moving. When...

If your works fall within the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 and you’ve served a Party Wall Notice on every affected neighbour (the Adjoining Owner), the next question is whether you’ll need a Party Wall Award (often called a Party Wall Agreement). Here’s how to tell—fast....

When a neighbour dissents to a Party Wall Notice, a “dispute” (in the Act’s technical sense) is triggered. At that point, owners have two routes: Each owner appoints their own surveyor, or Both owners jointly appoint a single “Agreed Surveyor.” An Agreed Surveyor is...