Handling hundreds of Party Wall matters every year gives us a front-row seat to the most common misunderstandings about Party Wall Notices.
Here’s a clear, no-nonsense explainer so you can serve (or respond to) notices correctly, keep momentum, and avoid needless cost or delay.
The big misconceptions—simplified
1) DIY owner notices are permitted (but use with care)
Yes, a building owner can serve their own notice. But it’s a legal document: once served, it can trigger adjoining owner surveyor fees if a dissent follows.
Our tip: only DIY when:
- you’re on good terms with your neighbour, and
- you’ve discussed the proposal openly, and
- they’ve indicated they’re likely to consent.
For everyone else, professional service is the cheaper path to certainty.
2) Ignoring a notice does not stop the process
Silence doesn’t stall lawful works. If the adjoining owner doesn’t respond within 14 days, the building owner can issue a Section 10(4) request (10 further days). If there’s still no reply, a surveyor may be appointed on the adjoining owner’s behalf, and the process continues to an Award. Engaging early is always better.
3) Invalid notices happen—and can be fixed
If a notice is defective (wrong service, missing essentials, etc.), it can be re-served. Yes, statutory timings reset, but re-serving avoids the far bigger risk of an invalid Award later. If in doubt, correct it promptly and move on.
4) Drawings: when they’re required (and when they’re just smart)
Only Section 6 (Excavation) notices require drawings for valid service.
Section 1 (new walls at/near the line of junction) and Section 2 (works to party walls/structures) don’t strictly require drawings for validity.
Reality check: better information = smoother outcomes. We recommend including relevant drawings with all notices to promote confidence and increase the chance of consent.
5) Notices must be served by the methods allowed in the Act
Service has to follow Section 15 of the Act (e.g., post to last-known address, hand delivery, agreed electronic service, etc.). Improvised methods risk invalidity and a full re-service. Stick to the statutory playbook.
What should a good notice achieve?
- Clearly identify who is serving and who it’s served upon.
- Cite the correct section(s) of the Act.
- Describe the works plainly (and include drawings where sensible).
- Start the statutory clock and set out the three response options.
- Provide a simple way for the neighbour to respond in writing.
How much should notices cost?
Fees vary widely. Some firms mark them up; some offer “free” notices but recover costs elsewhere. At Simple Survey, we keep it transparent and low: £25 per adjoining owner for a compliant notice, proper service, and response tracking. Anything the Act allows you to DIY shouldn’t be priced like luxury.
Get Your Notices Done Right…
Avoid invalid service, reset clocks, and frayed neighbour relations. We’ll draft, check, serve and track your notices properly—so you can move on to a clean, efficient Award.
Email: team@simplesurvey.co.uk
Simple, fixed fees. Nationwide coverage. RICS qualified.
Simple Survey — Fixed Nationwide Cost Chart (Guide)
| Service | What’s Included | Fixed Fee (incl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Party Wall Notice (per Adjoining Owner) | Compliance check, drafting, service & response tracking | £25 |
| Agreed Surveyor Award | Single impartial surveyor acting for both owners | £300 |
| Building Owner’s Surveyor Award | Acting for the Building Owner in a two-surveyor route | £300 |
FAQ
Q1. Can I email a notice and call it served?
Only if the adjoining owner has agreed to electronic service. Otherwise, use one of the Section 15 methods (e.g., post/hand delivery) to avoid invalidity.
Q2. My neighbour ignored the notice—now what?
After 14 days, serve a Section 10(4) request (10 more days). If they still don’t respond, a surveyor can be appointed on their behalf and the Award process proceeds.
Q3. Do I need to include structural calculations with the notice?
Not for validity. But for Section 6 you must include drawings; for Sections 1 & 2 it’s sensible to add plans, details or sketches to aid understanding and encourage consent.
Q4. We found an error after service—are we stuck?
No. Re-serve correctly and restart timings. That’s far better than risking an invalid Award down the line.
Q5. Can the adjoining owner write a custom response?
No. The Act allows only three responses: consent, dissent & appoint own surveyor, dissent & appoint an agreed surveyor. Variations or caveats aren’t recognised.
Q6. Who pays if my neighbour dissents?
Typically the building owner pays the reasonable surveyors’ fees determined in the Award.
Q7. Will a dissent delay everything?
It adds administration, but with complete drawings, prompt replies and pragmatic surveyors, the Award can be agreed efficiently and works kept on track.
If you want your notices to be valid, clear and persuasive—and your programme protected—drop us a line. We’ll make it simple.