When your renovation or extension plans involve walls shared with your neighbours—like the dividing wall between houses, the floors between flats, or even garden boundary walls—you’ll likely fall under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. That means you’ll need to serve formal notice and may require a Party Wall Agreement or a Party Wall Award if your neighbour raises an objection.
At its core, the Party Wall Act is designed to ensure building work is carried out legally, fairly and with minimal disruption. But disputes can still arise—so it pays to understand your obligations and take the right steps early on.
What Counts as a Party Wall?
A party wall is more than just a dividing structure. Under the Act, there are three main definitions:
- A wall that sits on the land of two or more owners and forms part of a building (e.g. between terraced or semi-detached homes).
- A wall on the land of two owners that doesn’t form part of a building—like a masonry garden wall (but not a timber fence).
- A wall on one person’s land that is used by two or more people to divide their properties.
The Act also refers to party structures, which can include shared floors or walls between different parts of buildings—such as flats or maisonettes.
Do I Need to Serve Notice?
Yes—if your work affects a party structure, you must inform your neighbours. That means giving at least:
- Two months’ notice for work to a party wall or structure
- One month’s notice for excavation works near foundations
You’re required to serve written notice if you’re:
- Building at or near the boundary of your property
- Making changes to an existing party wall (cutting into it, removing a chimney breast, raising it, etc.)
- Digging below or near your neighbour’s foundations
Your notice should clearly include:
- Your name and address
- Full details of the planned work
- The start date
- A clear statement that the notice is served under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996
While there’s no set form to follow, accuracy matters—so it’s wise to have a Party Wall Surveyor handle it for you.
How to Keep Things Friendly (and Avoid Disputes)
Neighbours are more likely to agree to your plans if you keep them in the loop from the outset. Here’s how:
- Talk to them first – A friendly chat before sending the notice can go a long way in building trust.
- Be transparent – Show them the plans, explain the timeline and give them contact details for your architect or surveyor.
- Choose an experienced surveyor – A qualified, RICS-accredited professional can explain the process and help reassure your neighbours that everything is being done by the book.
If your neighbour is happy with the plans, they can consent in writing. If they object—or don’t respond within 14 days—you’re considered to be in dispute.
What Happens If There’s a Dispute?
If a dispute arises, you’ll need to appoint a surveyor to prepare a Party Wall Award. You can:
- Use one Agreed Surveyor (preferred and more cost-effective)
- Or each appoint separate surveyors (costs are usually borne by the person doing the work)
If those two surveyors can’t agree, a third surveyor is brought in to make a final decision.
What Is a Party Wall Award?
A Party Wall Award is a legal document that sets out:
- What work is allowed
- How and when it will be done
- Who will cover the costs
- Access arrangements to neighbouring land
Once an Award is in place, your neighbour can’t legally stop you from going ahead—assuming you’ve followed all procedures under the Act.
Top Tips to Keep Your Project on Track
✔ Start early – Give neighbours plenty of time to review the plans
✔ Hire a qualified surveyor – Look for someone with specific experience in party wall matters
✔ Keep communication open – Especially once building work starts; relationships matter
✔ Document everything – From initial notices to condition surveys
Need Help Navigating the Party Wall Process?
At Simple Survey, we help homeowners, architects, and developers across the UK manage their Party Wall obligations swiftly, affordably, and professionally. Whether you need to serve a notice or are dealing with a dispute, we’re here to support you from start to finish.
📧 Have questions? Ready to get started? Contact our expert team today at team@simplesurvey.co.uk