Step 1 – Does My Project Fall Under the Act?
You may need to follow the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 if your plans involve:
- Inserting beams into a shared wall (e.g. for a loft conversion).
- Adding a damp proof course to a party wall.
- Raising, lowering, or rebuilding a party wall or garden wall.
- Constructing a new wall on the boundary line.
- Underpinning a shared structure.
- Cutting flashing into a neighbour’s property.
- Excavating deeper than your neighbour’s foundations within 3–6 metres.
- Removing a chimney breast attached to a party wall.
👉 If you answered yes to any of the above, the Act applies. Its purpose is not to prevent building works but to give neighbours notice, reduce disputes, and provide a fair framework for resolving issues.
Step 2 – What to Do Next
If your project is covered by the Act, you must serve a Party Wall Notice:
- 2 months’ notice for works to a party wall or boundary structure.
- 1 month’s notice for excavation or building new walls close to the boundary.
Tip: It’s best to speak with your neighbours informally before serving written notice, so the paperwork doesn’t come as a surprise.
Step 3 – Reaching an Agreement
Once notice is served, your neighbours have 14 days to reply in writing:
- If they consent → the process ends, and you can start work when agreed.
- If they dissent (or don’t respond) → surveyors must be appointed.
There are two options:
- One impartial Agreed Surveyor acts for both parties.
- Each party appoints their own surveyor (who may call in a third if needed).
The appointed surveyor(s) will prepare a Party Wall Award — a legal document setting out:
- How and when the works can be carried out.
- Protective measures for both properties.
- Who covers the costs.
Step 4 – Works That Don’t Need Notice
Not all building work requires a Party Wall Notice. Generally excluded are:
- Rewiring or replacing electrical fittings.
- Replastering walls.
- Fixing shelves, cupboards, or wall units.
These are considered non-structural. But if you’re unsure, always seek professional advice.
📩 Need expert help with Party Wall Notices, Awards, or disputes?
Contact team@simplesurvey.co.uk — the most affordable Party Wall Surveyors across England & Wales.