Party wall work in 2026 isn’t changing because the Act has suddenly become “new” (it hasn’t). It’s changing because projects, neighbours, timelines, and expectations are changing—and that’s what typically drives party wall outcomes in the real world.
Below are Simple Survey’s practical predictions for 2026: what we think will happen more often, what will cause delays, and what building owners (and adjoining owners) can do to stay in control.
Prediction 1: “Deemed dissent” will keep rising
In 2026, we expect more notices to end up in deemed dissent (no reply within 14 days), simply because:
- people are busier,
- more neighbours are tenants (and don’t always forward letters),
- more homes are owned by landlords or companies,
- and there’s increasing caution around “signing anything”.
What this means in practice:
Even where nobody is truly against the work, silence will trigger the dispute procedure more often—meaning surveyors get involved and the timeline stretches.
Simple Survey tip (2026):
Start the neighbour conversation before the notice lands, and include a one-page plain-English summary with the notice (what’s happening, when, why it matters, what you’re asking them to do).
Prediction 2: More projects will be time-sensitive—and party wall timing will be the bottleneck
We’re seeing more building owners trying to line up:
- builder availability,
- material lead times,
- finance drawdowns,
- and planning/building control milestones.
In 2026, party wall compliance will increasingly become the thing that decides the start date—not the builder.
Common pain point:
Serving late, then realising you need to wait the statutory period and possibly go through a dispute process.
Simple Survey tip (2026):
Treat party wall like planning: start it early. In 2026, our rule of thumb is:
- 8–12 weeks before your intended start = “comfortable”
- 4–8 weeks = “risky”
- Under 4 weeks = “expect problems”
Prediction 3: Notice quality will matter more than ever
We predict more challenges around invalid or weak notices, especially as more homeowners try to DIY using templates or social media advice.
What commonly breaks a notice in the real world:
- wrong adjoining owner(s),
- incomplete description of works,
- missing addresses,
- incorrect notice type,
- incorrect notice period,
- missing key drawings for relevant works.
Simple Survey tip (2026):
A “valid notice” isn’t just a letter—it’s a legal trigger. If you’re DIY’ing, build your notice around clarity:
- What exactly are you doing?
- Where exactly are you doing it?
- When are you starting?
- Who is being notified and why?
If you’re unsure, email it for a quick sense-check before serving.
Prediction 4: More adjoining owners will appoint their own surveyor “just to be safe”
Even when relations are friendly, we expect adjoining owners to increasingly:
- want independent advice,
- worry about disruption,
- or simply prefer a formal outcome in writing.
This doesn’t always mean hostility—it often means risk management.
Simple Survey tip (2026):
Building owners should assume that a proportion of neighbours will want surveyors involved and plan budgets accordingly.
If you’re an adjoining owner: appointing your own surveyor can be reasonable, but it helps to be clear about what you actually want:
- reassurance,
- clarity of process,
- or specific limitations on the work?
Prediction 5: “Friendly neighbour” will remain the biggest cost-saver
No prediction is more reliable than this one:
In 2026, the cheapest party wall outcome will still be:
- early communication,
- a correct notice,
- written consent,
- and clear expectations.
Not because it’s “nice”—but because it reduces:
- disputes,
- professional time,
- and project delays.
Simple Survey tip (2026):
The best phrase we see building owners use is simple:
“I’m doing this properly and legally—and I want you to feel comfortable.”
That alone reduces defensiveness.
Prediction 6: Boundary and excavation concerns will be the most common triggers for escalation
In 2026, we expect the biggest escalators to remain:
- digging near neighbouring structures,
- building tight to boundaries,
- and work that affects support/structural integrity.
These are the jobs that make neighbours think:
- “Will my property crack?”
- “Will I be blamed for damage?”
- “What if this goes wrong?”
Simple Survey tip (2026):
Explain the “how” in plain English, not just the “what”. People relax when they understand method and sequence.
Prediction 7: People will demand clearer pricing—and fixed fees will grow
Surveyor fees and construction costs have been under pressure for years. In 2026, we expect:
- more clients asking for fixed fees,
- fewer clients accepting open-ended hourly work unless the scope is uncertain,
- and more competition around transparent, itemised pricing.
Simple Survey tip (2026):
Ask any provider:
- what’s included,
- what triggers extra fees,
- and what a “typical total” looks like for a job like yours.
Prediction 8: The “content gap” will shrink, but confusion will remain
There’s more online content than ever, but a lot of it is:
- oversimplified,
- copied,
- or written for SEO rather than clarity.
In 2026, people will be better informed—but still confused about:
- when the Act applies,
- which notice is needed,
- and what happens if a neighbour ignores the letter.
Simple Survey tip (2026):
Use content for orientation, but base decisions on your exact works and your exact property set-up (terrace, flat, leasehold, multiple owners, etc.).
Simple Survey’s “best bet” for 2026 outcomes
If you do three things, you massively improve the odds of a smooth job:
- Talk to your neighbour early
- Serve a clean, valid notice to the right people
- Build party wall timing into your project plan (not as an afterthought)
Want a quick 2026 prediction for your project?
Email us a short summary and your drawings/plans and we’ll tell you what we think is most likely to happen in your case (consent vs dispute, timings, and the cleanest route).
📧 team@simplesurvey.co.uk
Simple Survey – affordable Party Wall guidance across England & Wales.