Short answer: yes—and that’s by design. Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, once a dispute has arisen (because your neighbour dissented or didn’t reply within 14 days), Section 10 hands the pen to the appointed surveyor(s). Their statutory job is to determine the dispute and make an Award that sets out what may be done, and the time and manner in which it is to be done. That Award is a quasi-judicial decision, not a negotiated contract between owners—and it does not require owner sign-off.
Why owners don’t “co-author” Awards
Allowing an owner (building or adjoining) to review, work on, comment on or “approve” a draft Award is risky for three reasons:
- Impartiality and validity
Section 10 requires surveyors to act impartially and determine matters “connected with” the notifiable works. If owners are seen to influence the drafting, you risk allegations of bias and even Award invalidity. Remember, it’s the surveyor’s independent decision—not the owner’s. - Appeal rights under Section 10(17)
The Act gives either party 14 days after service to appeal in the county court. If owners had already “pre-approved” the text, that could prejudice (or at least muddy) the statutory appeal process. The proper route for challenging an Award is after service, not by editing drafts beforehand. - Practical fallout and new disputes
Letting owners “work up” an Award invites fresh arguments, delays, and tit-for-tat changes—often spiralling into new disputes between owners and/or surveyors. The Act is deliberately set up so the surveyor(s) decide, serve, and move the project forward.
What you can and should do as an owner
While you won’t be signing the Award, you do play a role:
- Provide factual information early
Share drawings, programmes, method notes, structural details, services routes, etc. If you’re the Adjoining Owner, flag any known sensitivities (fragile finishes, historic features, critical business hours). Surveyors can weigh these facts when drafting conditions. - Ask procedural questions
You’re entitled to understand what is being considered, typical conditions, site access logistics, and how noise/dust/vibration will be limited under the Award. - Use the appeal window—properly
After service, if you believe the Award is ultra vires (outside jurisdiction) or otherwise wrong in law, you have 14 days to appeal. That’s the correct legal route—not pre-publication editing. - Report changes or issues during the works
Awards typically require the Building Owner to notify surveyors of material design changes, method changes or issues on site. Keep surveyors updated promptly.
Common misconceptions
- “If I pay, I get approval rights.”
No. Even if the Building Owner pays most costs, surveyors remain statutorily independent. - “Surely the surveyor must show me a draft?”
There’s no requirement to circulate drafts. Some surveyors may share limited extracts (e.g., access timings) for fact-checking logistics, but they should avoid owner-led editing of the legal document. - “If I can’t alter it, how do I protect myself?”
By providing early, accurate technical information, cooperating with reasonable site access, and—if needed—using the 14-day appeal. Also, keep records and communicate promptly if site circumstances change.
The right balance
A good Party Wall Award is clear, proportionate and enforceable, built on sound drawings, method statements and engineering info. Surveyors will typically:
- reference the lawful rights being exercised under the Act
- set time and manner conditions (e.g., hand tools for cutting into the party wall; staged excavations; protection and temporary works protocols)
- set access arrangements (hours, notice periods, protection measures)
- set notification triggers for material changes
- allocate responsibility for costs in line with the Act.
That framework only works if the Award is the surveyor’s Award—not an owner-drafted compromise.
Keep costs sensible
At Simple Survey, we keep the process lean and the paperwork tight, so you get a defensible Award without over-engineering:
- Party Wall Notice service: £25 per adjoining ownership (multi-notice bundles discounted)
- Act administration as Agreed Surveyor (single surveyor): typically £300 fixed-fee (depends on complexity and number of notices/owners)
- Two-surveyor route (we act for the Building Owner): fixed-fee proposals from £325 for our side (we work to keep your neighbour’s surveyor’s hourly fees reasonable and contained)
No padding. No “mystery” charges. Just clear advice and compliant paperwork.
Ready to move forward—properly?
Email your drawings and a short description of the works to team@simplesurvey.co.uk. We’ll confirm whether notices are required, recommend the right route (Agreed Surveyor vs Two-Surveyor) and deliver a fixed-fee proposal.
Simple Survey — impartial Awards, valid process, sensible fees.