1. When a Notice is Required
- Work on shared walls (terraced/semi-detached houses)
- Work on party structures (shared floors, ceilings, structural elements)
- Work on shared garden/fence walls
- Excavation near neighbour’s foundations (3–6 m)
Not Required: Minor maintenance (plastering, drilling for cabinets, wiring)
2. Types of Notices & Timing
| Notice Type | Purpose | Minimum Notice |
| Party Structure Notice | Modifying shared walls (cut, raise, rebuild) | 2 months |
| Line of Junction Notice | Build a new boundary wall | 1 month |
| Adjacent Excavation Notice | Digging near neighbour foundations | 1 month |
3. Serving a Notice
Must Include:
- Names & addresses of affected owners
- Description of works + drawings/specifications
- Start date, end date, and project duration
Delivery Methods:
- Personal hand delivery or registered post
- Serve 2 months ahead for wall works, 1 month for new wall/excavation
4. Rights of Adjoining Owners
- Appoint a Party Wall Surveyor
- Ask for protection measures to prevent damage
- Claim compensation for damage caused
- Respond within 14 days
| Notice Type | Response Time |
| Party Structure Notice | 14 days |
| Line of Junction Notice | 14 days |
| Adjacent Excavation Notice | 14 days |
No response = disagreement; triggers surveyor involvement
5. Responding to a Notice
- Consent: Agree to works
- Dissent: Disagree; appoint surveyor to resolve
- No Response: Treated as dissent; surveyors step in
6. Party Wall Surveyor Role
- Act impartially between neighbours
- Draft Party Wall Award (legally binding)
- Ensure work follows Party Wall Act
7. Common Disputes
- Timing & schedule of works
- Potential damage to property
- Noise and disruption
- Financial responsibility
Resolution: Surveyor appointment → Party Wall Award → Legal action (if needed)
8. Special Circumstances
- Emergency work: Can be done without notice
- Listed buildings: Require special permissions
- Multiple neighbours: Coordination needed
9. Key Takeaways
- Notify neighbours on time with correct notice
- Respond within 14 days
- Use a chartered Party Wall Surveyor for guidance
- Maintain open communication to prevent disputes
Next Step
Contact us to confirm that you are ready for us to organise a Simple Survey Party Wall Surveyor to handle your project from start to finish.