Short answer: no—not if you want a document that’s valid under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
A Party Wall Award (often called a “party wall agreement”) can only be made by surveyor(s) appointed under Section 10 of the Act: either one Agreed Surveyor acting for both owners, or two surveyors (one for each owner), with a Third Surveyor held in reserve for deadlocks. An owner—building or adjoining—cannot author their own Award and expect it to have legal effect.
This article explains why DIY Awards fail, the real risks of trying, and what a sensible, low-cost route looks like if you’re aiming for speed, certainty and minimal friction.
Why you can’t write your own Award
The Act sets up a statutory dispute-resolution system. Once an adjoining owner dissents to a notice (or is deemed to dissent after no response), the dispute must be determined “by award” made by appointed surveyor(s). That’s the only way the Act authorises the works and sets enforceable rights and conditions.
If an owner drafts something themselves:
- It’s not an “award” under Section 10, because no surveyor has determined the dispute.
- The document is unenforceable under the Act—so you lose the Act’s protection (e.g., structured access, proportionate conditions, fee and cost determinations).
- You risk injunctions and programme-stopping challenges because the statutory process hasn’t been followed.
- You can’t use the Act’s 14-day appeal framework, because there’s no valid award to appeal.
- Lenders, purchasers and conveyancers may treat the paperwork as defective, causing future sales delays.
In other words: a DIY “award” is just a private contract. It won’t stand up when you need it most.
“But my neighbour and I agree—do we still need surveyors?”
If the adjoining owner consents in writing to the notice, the Act allows you to proceed without an Award. Many projects do just that. However:
- If a specific dispute later arises (access terms, timing, methods, costs, damage responsibility, etc.), it must be resolved via Section 10—i.e., by surveyor(s) in an award.
- Without a valid award, you may face uncertain enforcement, and any private side agreement can be tested, delayed, or ignored if relations deteriorate.
Practically, owners who value speed and certainty often prefer a lean, proportionate Award up front—especially where neighbours are anxious, the works are structurally involved, or timelines are tight.
The real risks of DIY (or “neighbourly contracts” in place of Awards)
Even with the best intentions:
- Invalid process = easy challenge. A neighbour can halt works quickly if the statutory route hasn’t been followed.
- Access rights evaporate. The Act’s access powers rely on compliant procedure and (where dissented) an Award.
- Costs spiral later. Disputes that could have been contained cheaply by surveyors can metastasise into legal spats.
- Resale headaches. Missing or non-compliant paperwork spooks buyers and solicitors; deals stall or fall through.
- Insurance queries. Insurers may question compliance if there’s a significant loss linked to non-statutory paperwork.
Bottom line: cutting corners rarely saves money once a disagreement, delay, or claim hits.
A faster, safer path (that still keeps costs down)
If you want the quickest compliant route:
- Serve valid notices (Sections 1, 2 and/or 6 as applicable) with the right content and timings.
- If the neighbour consents, you can proceed (subject to the Act and any agreed conditions).
- If they dissent or don’t respond, appoint an Agreed Surveyor (one surveyor for both) where possible—usually the fastest and cheapest route to a watertight Award.
- If separate surveyors are inevitable, keep the scope tight and proportionate so the Award deals precisely with the works and avoids mission creep.
- Escalate only when necessary—single-issue Third Surveyor referrals, if needed, keep time and fees contained.
What a good Award achieves
A well-drafted Award:
- Authorises the notifiable works and ties them to clear conditions (methods, sequencing, access, reasonable hours, protections, making-good/compensation routes, etc.).
- Allocates costs and sets a fair framework if additional professional input is genuinely needed.
- Reduces flashpoints by answering foreseeable questions before site starts.
- Provides an enforceable document both owners can rely on if positions harden.
None of that can be replicated by an owner-written “agreement” pretending to be an Award.
Transparent, fixed pricing (so you can budget once)
- Party Wall Notice service: £25 per adjoining ownership (multi-notice bundles discounted).
- Act administration as Agreed Surveyor (single surveyor): typically £300 fixed-fee, depending on complexity and number of notices/owners.
- Two-surveyor route (we act for the Building Owner): fixed-fee proposals from £325 for our side. (The Adjoining Owner’s surveyor often bills hourly; we work to keep those costs reasonable and contained.)
- Complex works (deep excavations, multi-owner blocks): we’ll still offer the fixed pricing as above.
- No surprises, no creeping extras. You’ll know the number before we start.
FAQs
Can my architect/engineer/solicitor write an Award for us?
Only if they are formally appointed as a surveyor under Section 10 (and are not a party to the matter). The Act’s definition of “surveyor” is broad, but whoever you choose must act impartially and within the statute—not as your advocate.
We’ve already drafted a private “agreement”. Can we rely on it instead of an Award?
If the neighbour consents to the notice, you may proceed without an Award. But a private contract is not a statutory Award and won’t give you the Act’s enforceable framework if a dispute crops up. If there’s any dissent (or deemed dissent), you need an Award.
Can I ‘backdate’ an Award after starting?
No. Trying to retrofit compliance is risky and invites challenge. If you’re mid-project without the proper paperwork, get compliant now to stem further exposure.
What if my neighbour won’t engage at all?
The Act anticipates non-response. After the first notice and a further 10-day request, the Building Owner can appoint a surveyor on the neighbour’s behalf under Section 10(4) so the Award can be made and works can progress lawfully.
How long does it take to get an Award?
For straightforward domestic works with responsive parties, Awards can be turned around quickly once the statutory notice periods are satisfied and the essentials are in place. The fastest route is often the Agreed Surveyor pathway.
Takeaway
You cannot prepare a valid Party Wall Award yourself. If there’s dissent (or silence), the Act requires a determination by appointed surveyor(s). Trying to replace that with a DIY document or “neighbourly contract” risks injunctions, delays, and bigger bills later. The good news: a lean, proportionate Award is fast, affordable and gives everyone certainty.
Need the quickest compliant route—without paying over the odds?
Email team@simplesurvey.co.uk for a same-day plan and a fixed fee. We’ll keep it simple, lawful and cost-controlled.