Whether you are undertaking the works (Building Owner) or you have received a Party Wall Notice (Adjoining Owner), Simple Survey can assist. We support clients across London and the surrounding counties, providing clear, professional guidance under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
What is a Party Wall?
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is a legal framework designed to:
- allow certain “notifiable works” to proceed lawfully,
- protect the interests of all affected owners, and
- prevent or resolve disputes in an orderly way.
In plain terms, the Act sets out a process: serve notice → neighbour responds → if needed, surveyors agree an Award. When handled properly, the Act is facilitating—not obstructive.
Building Owner (undertaking the building works)
If you are planning works to a party wall, party structure, or excavations near neighbouring properties, you are treated as a Building Owner under the Act.
How we help at the early stage
We can assist by:
- reviewing your drawings and proposed scope,
- confirming whether the Act is triggered and which notice type(s) apply,
- preparing and serving the correct Party Wall Notices on all relevant Adjoining Owners.
What happens after notices are served
Depending on the response, we can then:
- where required, prepare and agree a Party Wall Award so the works can proceed on a clear statutory footing.
If you are a Building Owner and would like clear advice and a properly managed process, contact Simple Survey.
Adjoining Owner (neighbour affected by the works)
If you have been served with a Party Wall Notice, you are an Adjoining Owner under the Act. You do not need to guess what it means or feel pressured into responding a particular way.
How we help adjoining owners
We can act on your behalf as Adjoining Owner Surveyor and assist with:
- explaining the process in plain English,
- acting as your point of contact,
- negotiating the terms of a Party Wall Award where surveyor procedures are required.
Fees (practical guidance)
In many typical domestic situations, the Building Owner undertaking the works usually pays the reasonable surveyor fees associated with concluding party wall matters—particularly where the works are solely for their benefit.
Types of notifiable works (common examples)
Works that commonly fall within the scope of the Act include:
- Demolishing, rebuilding, raising, or otherwise altering a shared party wall.
- Cutting into a party wall (for example to insert beams or a damp proof course, often for loft conversions).
- Removing projections from a party wall, including chimney breasts or chimney stacks.
- Works to party structures between flats (including shared walls, floors, and ceilings).
- Excavations within 3 metres (or sometimes 6 metres, depending on depth and foundations) for extension or basement foundations.
- Building a wall up to or astride the boundary line, including certain party fence wall situations (masonry boundary walls, not timber fencing).
Service of Party Wall Notices and the 14-day response window
Once a notice is served, Adjoining Owners typically have 14 days to respond in writing. Common response options are:
- Consent to the works (often with a Schedule of Condition agreed for clarity).
- Dissent and agree to use an Agreed Surveyor (one impartial surveyor acting for both parties).
- Dissent and appoint their own surveyor (an Adjoining Owner Surveyor), with the Building Owner’s surveyor acting on the other side.
If no response is received
Silence is not “consent”. If no response is made within the response period, the matter is usually treated as a dispute for procedural purposes. In that situation, the Act allows a surveyor to be appointed on the non-responding owner’s behalf under Section 10(4). Practically, this can remove the adjoining owner’s free choice of surveyor—so it is always better to respond in time.
Get Cost Saving Pro Advice Now
If you need to serve a Party Wall Notice—or you have received one—contact Simple Survey. We specialise in clear notices, calm communication, and practical Party Wall Awards where required. We keep party wall matters proportionate and cost-controlled, and we aim to be the UK’s cheapest party wall surveyors without compromising professional standards.