Articles

Why “dispute” under the Act isn’t a fight—and how to keep it that way In everyday language, a “dispute” sounds adversarial. Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, it isn’t. The Act uses “dispute” as a trigger word for a structured, professional resolution process—not a...

Who does what, when—and how to get this right first time Choosing and appointing Party Wall Surveyors is one of the most consequential steps in the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 process. The Act gives surveyors statutory powers, strict duties, and—crucially—their...

How to find trustworthy guidance, sense-check it, and move forward with confidence If you’ve clicked on this, you’ve either discovered you need to serve a Party Wall Notice or you’ve been served one. The web is full of opinions, templates and “top tips”, but the Party...

What they are, how to serve them correctly, and what happens next If you’ve landed here, you’ve either discovered you need to serve a Party Wall Notice or you’ve been served one. This guide gives you a surveyor’s eye view—clear, impartial and practical—so you...

What you’ll likely pay, why you’re paying it, and how to keep it under control If you’ve reached this page, you’ve either discovered you must serve a Party Wall Notice or you’ve been served one. Understandably, your next question is: “How much is this going to...

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably been told you need to serve a Party Wall Notice—or your neighbour has said they’ll be serving one on you. Either way, you’re in the right place. Below is a clear, practical guide to help you understand when the Party Wall etc....

If you’re here, you’ve probably been told that contractors will need access over a neighbour’s land (or your neighbour needs access over yours) to carry out building works. Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, that can be perfectly lawful—but only in tightly defined...

What it means, what happens next, and how to keep your build on track You’re about to create new space and value—great! If your project falls within the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 (loft steels into a shared wall, a rear extension with excavations, a new wall up...

You’re gearing up for works that will add space and value without the upheaval of moving—great news. If those works fall within the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, you’ll need a party wall surveyor. Here’s the catch: not all “party wall surveyors” are equal. The title...

Party wall procedures don’t have to be tense, slow, or expensive. With the right prep, the correct notices, and crystal-clear site controls, you can keep neighbours onside and your programme on track. Here’s a practical, step-by-step roadmap from first sketch to...

Planning a basement is exciting—big gains in space and value without the SDLT pain of moving. It’s also the highest-risk category of domestic work under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, so the party wall process must be watertight. Here’s a practical, no-nonsense guide...

Planning an extension is exciting—more space, more value, better living. If your works interact with a neighbour’s land or shared structures, parts of your build will fall under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Here’s a clear, practical guide to keep you compliant,...

Converting your loft is one of the most popular ways to add space and value—but if you share walls (terraced or semi-detached houses, or flats), parts of the project will usually fall under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Here’s your clear, practical guide to staying...

Planning to remove a chimney breast? If any part abuts a party wall (houses) or party structure (flats), parts of the work are very likely notifiable under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Done properly, this is a straightforward, low-risk project. Done casually, it can...

A practical, professional guide before you commence works If your project triggers the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, you’ve been handed both a legal framework and a prevention tool. Use it well and you’ll cut risk, cost, and delays. Ignore it and you invite injunctions,...

A clear, practical guide before you (or your neighbour) start building Planning an extension, loft conversion, basement, garden wall or new foundations near a boundary? The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 may apply. Here’s a no-nonsense guide to what it covers, how the...

How to set the tone for smooth Party Wall procedures and friendlier outcomes Embarking on an extension, loft conversion or excavation that brushes up against your neighbour’s home? Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, they’re “Adjoining Owners”—and their experience of...

Being served with a Party Wall Award and feeling it’s “wrong” can be unsettling—especially if works are about to start or are already underway. Before you rush to court, here’s a clear, practical guide to how appeals work, whether an appeal is sensible in your case,...

Hearing from a neighbour, contractor or surveyor that “a dispute has arisen” can sound alarming. Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, however, “dispute” is a technical term—not a falling-out. Here’s a clear, comprehensive guide to what it means, how it’s resolved, and...

Have you been told that your neighbour’s contractor can come onto your land? Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, that can be correct—but only in tightly defined circumstances and under strict safeguards. Here’s the clear, practical guide you need. 1) Yes—access rights...

Have works started on site and you’ve noticed damage? Don’t panic. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 provides a clear procedure to identify the cause, agree the remedy and secure payment. Below is a practical, end-to-end workflow you can follow today. 1) Alert the Party...

Fed up with a surveyor who’s slow, unclear or seemingly biased? We hear this a lot. Here’s the hard truth first: under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, once a surveyor is properly appointed you cannot dismiss them just because you’re unhappy. Their duty is to the Act,...

Confused about who party wall surveyors are, what they do and who pays? Here’s the clear, no-nonsense guide. 1) First things first: anyone can call themselves a “party wall surveyor” Yes, really. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 defines a “surveyor” as any person not...

(We make a confusing process simple.) Whether you’re planning a loft, rear extension or basement, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 sets the rules that keep projects moving and neighbours protected. Here’s the clear, no-nonsense route through it—what happens, who decides,...

When an Adjoining Owner dissents to your Party Wall Notice, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 moves into its resolution phase. That resolution is documented in a Party Wall Award. Here’s a clear guide to what an Award is, why it matters, and how it protects both sides. 1)...

If your project touches a shared wall, boundary or nearby foundations, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 likely applies. Here’s a clear, start-to-finish roadmap so you can build confidently, neighbourly and lawfully. 1) Check if your works are legally notifiable You must...

If your project involves digging, underpinning or new structural supports near a boundary, you’ll run into the term special foundations. Getting this right matters: surveyors cannot authorise special foundations on or under a neighbour’s land without the neighbour’s...

A brief history: why party walls were regulated in the first place Long before today’s extensions and basements, Londoners were already arguing about walls on their boundaries. By the 13th century, basic rules existed to reduce neighbour disputes and—crucially—limit...

If you’re new to party wall matters, the core idea is simple: the Act is an enabling and dispute-preventing framework you must follow before starting certain works. Below is a plain-English guide collecting the essentials practitioners repeat on real projects—what...

Planning a basement extension, rear/side extension, garden room or loft conversion is exciting—you’re finally turning drawings into bricks and mortar. Before you dive into Notices and contractors, there’s one simple step that consistently makes the Party Wall process...

Planning your loft, rear or side extension is exciting—you’re finally turning drawings into space you can live in. If your design encloses on an existing party wall (i.e., you’re building off the full thickness of the shared wall under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996),...

Planning construction is exciting—more space, better layout, added value. But when the works touch a party wall, a little foresight can dramatically reduce neighbour impact and your exposure to claims. Here’s one simple, routinely overlooked step that pays for itself...

Planning an extension is exciting—more space, better living space, added value. While your architect focuses on planning permission and design, there’s a smart Party Wall etc. Act 1996 tip that can make the build quicker, neater and often more cost-effective. Don’t...

A Party Wall Award is the mechanism that resolves the Act’s “dispute” and regularises how the notifiable works will proceed. At Simple Survey, our whole approach is to keep that journey predictable and low-stress. Below are the practical levers that reliably speed...

Not every notifiable project under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is a nail-biter. Many common residential jobs are firmly at the “minor” end of the risk spectrum—still requiring proper notices and (sometimes) an Award, but rarely needing heavyweight engineering,...

At Simple Survey, “party wall” doesn’t have to mean paperwork, delays, or drama. Proactive management—right from pre-notice review, through to a cleanly-closed file—keeps costs down and sites running. Here’s our playbook for Building Owners, Adjoining Owners, and...

When projects get bigger, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 expects more structure, more safeguards—and, usually, more professionals involved. At Simple Survey, we keep the process simple and clear, even on high-stakes schemes. Below we outline the types of works the Act...

At Simple Survey, we get it: the project you’re about to embark on is exciting—but it’s also expensive, stressful, and full of moving parts. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 shouldn’t be the bit that tips your budget over the edge. Our mission is simple: keep the party...

When people hear the word “dispute,” they picture arguments, solicitors’ letters and courtrooms. Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, a “dispute” is something far narrower and far more practical. Here’s how to reframe it—so you can move from anxiety to action. 1)...

Planning notifiable works under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996? Newsflash: you’re going to need a party wall surveyor. Here’s a clear, no-nonsense explainer so you know exactly who you’re appointing and what to expect. 1) A statutory appointment — not “your”...

If you’ve served a Party Wall Notice and your neighbour has dissented (or simply not replied within 14 days), the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 moves you into the dispute–resolution phase. The outcome of that process is the Party Wall Award—the single most important...

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is statute: you can’t skip it, fudge it, or “sort it later.” If your works are notifiable, a Party Wall Notice must be served correctly and on time. To make the process less mysterious, here’s a plain-English breakdown of what a Party Wall...