If you are planning building works—whether a rear extension, loft conversion, basement works, or structural alterations inside a flat—the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 may apply. The Act is a framework for notifying neighbours and concluding matters properly when works affect shared structures, boundary situations, or nearby foundations.
At Simple Survey, we help both Building Owners (the party carrying out the works) and Adjoining Owners (the neighbour affected) navigate the process clearly, lawfully, and with cost control.
How the Party Wall Act works
The party wall process is simple when you break it into steps:
- Serve the correct Party Wall Notice on the correct legal adjoining owner(s)
- Wait for the response (the adjoining owner typically has 14 days to reply in writing)
- If there is no written consent, surveyor procedures apply and the matter is commonly concluded by a Party Wall Award
The Act does not exist to stop lawful works. It exists to make sure neighbours are informed and that there is a structured route to a clear outcome when written agreement is not provided.
Works that commonly trigger the Act
Common triggers include:
Works to an existing party wall or party structure
Often Section 2 works notified by a Section 3 notice, for example:
- inserting beams into a shared wall (common in loft conversions)
- removing chimney breasts where the shared wall is affected
- thickening, raising, or otherwise altering the party wall
- works to party structures between flats (shared walls, floors, ceilings)
Boundary-related works
Often Section 1 works, for example:
- building a new wall up to the boundary line
- certain boundary wall scenarios requiring formal notice
Excavation near neighbouring foundations
Often Section 6, commonly triggered by:
- foundation trenches for extensions close to the neighbour
- deeper excavation where proximity and depth are relevant (often discussed in “3m/6m” terms)
If more than one category applies, more than one notice type may be required.
What we do
Party Wall Notices
We:
- confirm which notice type(s) are required
- identify the correct legal owners to serve (including leaseholders/freeholders where relevant)
- draft notices clearly so neighbours understand what is proposed
- serve notices properly and keep proof of service
- manage follow-ups so the file does not drift
Typical minimum notice periods are commonly:
- around 2 months for works to an existing party wall/party structure (Section 2 served via Section 3)
- around 1 month for boundary and excavation notices (Section 1 and Section 6)
Party Wall Awards
Where written consent is not provided, surveyor procedures apply and an Award is commonly produced. Our aim is to draft Awards that are:
- clear and practical for contractors
- proportionate to risk
- easy for the other side to agree, without unnecessary over-complication
- actively progressed so the process does not drag on
Advice for Adjoining Owners
If you have received a notice, we explain:
- what the notice means
- your consent/dissent options
- when surveyors are required
- how to protect your position without unnecessary confrontation
Costs: what owners should understand
Fees vary depending on:
- property type and complexity
- number of adjoining owners
- clarity of drawings and scope
- whether one surveyor or two surveyors are appointed
- how quickly the matter progresses (slow correspondence increases cost)
Many surveyors charge hourly; some offer fixed or staged pricing. The most cost-effective outcome is usually achieved by:
- serving correct notices early
- keeping scope stable
- using standard, workable Award drafting
- and actively following up so matters conclude promptly
Who appoints the surveyor?
If there is no written consent:
- both owners may agree to appoint one agreed surveyor, or
- each owner appoints their own surveyor
A key point for adjoining owners: if you intend to appoint a surveyor, act promptly. If you do not engage properly, the Act provides mechanisms that can result in a surveyor being appointed on your behalf—potentially reducing your freedom of choice.
Get Cost Saving Pro Advice Now
If you need to serve a Party Wall Notice—or you’ve received one—contact Simple Survey. We keep the process clear, compliant, and moving, with an emphasis on cost control and professional communication. We’re built around low-cost fixed-fee pricing and aim to be the UK’s cheapest party wall surveyors, without compromising professional standards.