At Simple Survey, we specialise in preparing and managing Party Wall Awards. As trusted Chartered Surveyors, we provide expert advice across England and Wales.
Many home improvement projects — from loft conversions to even small extensions — often trigger the need to serve a Party Wall Notice to one or more neighbours.
Our experienced team considers the requirements of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 from the very beginning of the design process, helping to reduce the risk of delays, extra costs, or unnecessary disruption to adjoining owners.
The Act itself is relatively short but legally complex. It applies in situations involving:
- Alterations to shared walls, ceilings, or floors
- Building along boundary lines
- Certain excavation works near neighbouring buildings
We provide clear, specialist advice to ensure full compliance with the Act and can represent either the Building Owner (carrying out the works) or the Adjoining Owner (whose property may be affected). In some cases, we can also act as an Agreed Surveyor for both parties.
Does the Party Wall Act Apply to Your Project?
You may need to serve notice if your plans involve:
- Work to an existing wall, ceiling, or floor shared with a neighbour
- Constructing a new wall on or near a boundary line
- Excavating close to a neighbouring property or structure
Notice periods required under the Act:
- At least 2 months before work to an existing party wall or party fence wall
- At least 1 month before adjacent excavations or new boundary walls
⚠️ Important: Starting notifiable works without serving the correct notice could lead to legal action, including injunctions stopping your project until you comply.
Information for Adjoining Owners
If you’ve received a Party Wall Notice, it means your neighbour (the “Building Owner”) is planning works covered by the Act. You have 14 days to respond:
- Consent – Agree to the works
- Dissent – Raise objections (which leads to the appointment of a surveyor)
If no response is given within 14 days, the law treats it as a dissent, triggering the dispute resolution process.
A dispute must then be resolved by issuing a legally binding Party Wall Award, either by:
- Appointing a single Agreed Surveyor for both parties, or
- Each owner appointing their own surveyor to jointly prepare the Award
Information for Building Owners
If you’re planning works that fall under the Act, you are legally required to serve notice on your neighbour(s) before starting. This includes:
- Building a new wall at or across the boundary line
- Altering, repairing, raising, lowering, or cutting into an existing party wall
- Demolishing or rebuilding a party fence wall
- Excavating foundations within 3 or 6 metres of a neighbouring structure
Notice periods (by law):
- 1 month before adjacent excavation or boundary works
- 2 months before works to existing party walls or party fence walls
📩 Free Expert Consultation
Not sure whether your project falls under the Party Wall Act? Send your plans to team@simplesurvey.co.uk for a free review and tailored advice. Our specialists make compliance simple, affordable, and stress-free.