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A Party Wall Award (often called a Party Wall Agreement) is a legally binding document made under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. It is produced by the appointed party wall surveyor(s) and sets the rules for how notifiable works will proceed, protecting both the...

Party wall procedures set out how neighbours in England & Wales must notify, agree, and carry out building works that affect shared walls, boundaries, or nearby foundations. Below is the typical sequence. 1) Serve Notice (Building Owner) The Building Owner must...

If your neighbour is proposing a rear extension, whether they must serve you (the Adjoining Owner) with a Party Wall Notice depends on distance, depth, and what works are planned. Below is a practical guide to when the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies in England &...

Party wall issues usually stem from late communication, unclear expectations, or misunderstandings about the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. The tips below help both Building Owners and Adjoining Owners steer clear of avoidable friction and keep projects moving. For...

If you’re the Building Owner proposing works that fall under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, you must serve a Party Wall Notice on every affected Adjoining Owner. The notice describes the notifiable elements of your project and invites a formal response. How an...

If your project includes works covered by the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, you must serve a Party Wall Notice on every affected neighbour (the Adjoining Owner). One efficient route through the process is the Agreed Surveyor option—this guide explains when notices are...

When a neighbour serves (or you serve) a Party Wall Notice, the next big decision is how to run the dispute-resolution process if there’s a dissent: appoint one Agreed Surveyor to act for both owners, or separate surveyors—one for each side. The Party Wall etc. Act...

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 governs building activity that could affect a shared wall, boundary, or nearby foundations. Where works are notifiable, your neighbour (the building owner) must serve a Party Wall Notice before work begins—at least 1 month for most matters...

Below is a practical guide to how party wall surveyors usually price their work, and why fees vary between projects. Lets start with our fees, £25.00 for Notices, £300.00 for Awards. Nice simple, low cost and straightforward! 1) Building Owner’s Surveyor (Fixed-Fee,...

A “10(4) Surveyor” is the shorthand for a party wall surveyor appointed under Section 10(4) of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 when an Adjoining Owner does not respond to a valid Party Wall Notice. The purpose is simple: silence must not stall lawful works—the Act...

A Third Surveyor is the independent back-stop built into Section 10 of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Their job is to determine points the two appointed surveyors (for the Building Owner and the Adjoining Owner) cannot agree—quickly, fairly, and within the framework of...

Disagreements do happen—about timings, methods, access, damage, or fees. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 gives owners structured ways to deal with them, but it also limits what you can (and can’t) do. You generally cannot sack your appointed surveyor Section 10(2) is...

Lets start with the headline! Our Fees are Fixed at £25.00 for Notices and £300.00 for Party Wall Awards. In most cases, the Building Owner pays. Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, surveyors determine reasonable costs (s.10(13)). Because the Building Owner benefits...

If your project could affect a shared structure (a wall, floor/ceiling between flats, or a garden wall on the boundary), the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 sets out a simple legal route that protects both you and your neighbour while keeping works moving. What counts as a...

Party wall surveyor costs vary by scope and location, but typical figures are: Hourly rates: ~£120–£350/hour Project totals: ~£800–£2,500 per appointment (straightforward to moderately complex matters) Our Approach: £25.00 for Notices, £300 for Awards! Yes, they...

Short answer: yes—provided they are not a party to the matter (i.e., not the Building Owner or the Adjoining Owner).The Act defines a surveyor as “any person not being a party to the matter” appointed under Section 10 to determine disputes. In practice, that means a...

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...

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...