A party fence wall is a shared boundary wall that straddles the land of two owners. While a solid Victorian or Edwardian wall can stand for over a century, decades of rain, frost, and the push of tree roots eventually take their toll — leaving many in need of repair.
Step One: Talk Before You Serve
If your party fence wall is in disrepair, speak with your neighbour first. Agreeing on a repair plan, contractor, and shared costs from the outset can save time, money, and stress.
Common Roadblocks
Neighbours sometimes disagree on:
- Whether repairs are even needed
- How extensive the works should be
- Who should pay, and how much
When a Party Wall Surveyor Gets Involved
If agreement isn’t possible, you can serve a Party Wall Notice under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. The recipient then has three choices:
- Agree to the works — and collaborate on timing, method, and cost.
- Dispute the works — triggering the appointment of surveyor(s) to arbitrate.
- Ignore the Notice — which still counts as a dispute, but the non-responding neighbour loses the right to appoint their own surveyor.
How the Act Resolves the Issue
The Act ensures repair costs are fairly split via a Party Wall Award — a legally binding document. Where one party’s actions have clearly caused damage (for example, tree roots undermining the wall), costs and surveyor fees can be apportioned accordingly.
If your party fence wall is falling apart, don’t let neighbourly disagreements drag on. Get expert advice today — email team@simplesurvey.co.uk.