If you’re planning building works near or on a shared wall, boundary, or floor between properties, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 may apply—and it’s essential you follow it correctly.
🧱 What Is a Party Wall (and What Isn’t)?
A party wall (or party fence wall) is a structure jointly owned and shared by two neighbours. It could be:
- A wall separating terraced or semi-detached houses
- A garden wall built astride a boundary
- A floor or ceiling between flats (also covered under the Act as a party structure)
Important: Timber fences are not covered by the Act.
📜 What Does the Party Wall Act Do?
The Act provides a legal framework for notifying neighbours, resolving disputes, and ensuring works are carried out without unnecessary damage or disagreement. If you’re the one proposing the works, it’s your responsibility to follow the correct process.
📝 Types of Notices Required Under the Act
Depending on your project, you may need to serve one or more of the following notices:
1. Party Structure Notice (Section 3)
For works involving an existing party structure—such as:
- Cutting into the wall for steel beams (e.g. loft conversions)
- Raising or lowering the wall
- Underpinning
- Removing chimneys or rebuilding the wall
2. Notice of Adjacent Excavation (Section 6)
Needed when digging within:
- 3 metres of a neighbouring structure and below the depth of its foundations
- 6 metres if your excavation could affect their foundations based on a 45° line projection
3. Line of Junction Notice (Section 1)
Required when you plan to build:
- On the boundary line between properties
- Astride the boundary (e.g. for a new wall or extension)
🧑🤝🧑 How Your Neighbours Can Respond
Once a notice is served, the adjoining owners have 14 days to respond in writing. They can:
- ✅ Consent – You’re free to begin work.
- ⚖️ Dissent and Appoint an Agreed Surveyor – One impartial surveyor acts for both parties to resolve any issues and produce a Party Wall Award.
- 🧑💼 Dissent and Appoint Their Own Surveyor – Two surveyors work together to agree on the award and terms.
📆 What If There’s No Response?
If no written reply is received within 14 days, it’s assumed the adjoining owner has dissented. You must then send a follow-up letter giving 10 days for them to appoint a surveyor.
If there’s still no response after 10 days, you may appoint a surveyor on their behalf, as permitted by the Act.
📄 What Is a Party Wall Award?
A Party Wall Award is a legally binding document issued by the surveyor(s), detailing:
- The exact works being carried out
- How and when they will be done
- Protection measures for the adjoining property
- Any working hours or noise restrictions
- Responsibilities for damage or repairs
💷 Who Pays the Surveyor’s Fees?
In most cases, the building owner (you) who is carrying out the works is responsible for covering all surveyors’ fees—both yours and your neighbour’s.
✅ Need Help Navigating the Party Wall Process?
At Simple Survey, we take the stress out of party wall matters with clear advice, fast service, and legally sound documentation.
📩 Contact us today at team@simplesurvey.co.uk to speak with one of our expert party wall surveyors. Whether you’re planning works or responding to a notice, we’ll make the process simple.