If you’re planning an extension, loft conversion, basement, or any other type of building work near a shared boundary, you may need to serve a Party Wall Notice. This is a legal requirement under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 and ensures that both you and your neighbours are protected during the construction process.
But what exactly is a Party Wall Notice, and why is it so important? Let’s break it down.
What Is a Party Wall Notice?
A Party Wall Notice is a formal written notice given by the Building Owner (the person carrying out the works) to their neighbour, known as the Adjoining Owner.
It sets out:
- What type of work is being planned
- Where and how it will affect the shared boundary or structure
- When the work is due to begin
This notice gives your neighbour the chance to either agree, disagree, or request changes.
When Do You Need to Serve One?
You’ll need to serve a Party Wall Notice if your project involves:
- Working directly on a party wall or structure (e.g., inserting steel beams, removing a chimney breast, raising or rebuilding the wall)
- Building at or across a boundary line (e.g., an extension that sits on or astride the boundary)
- Excavating close to your neighbour’s foundations (e.g., for a basement or deep extension footings within 3–6 metres of their property)
Tip: Planning permission does not replace the need to serve a Party Wall Notice. These are entirely separate legal requirements.
When Should You Serve a Notice?
The law requires that notices are served in advance of the works:
- Two months’ notice for works directly to a party wall or party structure
- One month’s notice for new boundary walls or excavation works
Your neighbours then have 14 days to respond in writing.
How Neighbours Can Respond
Your neighbour has three main options:
- Consent – They agree to the works as proposed.
- Dissent with an Agreed Surveyor – Both parties appoint one impartial surveyor to draw up a Party Wall Award.
- Dissent with Separate Surveyors – Each party appoints their own surveyor, who then jointly select a third surveyor if needed.
If your neighbour doesn’t reply within 14 days, the law treats it as dissent, and the surveyor process must begin.
Why Getting It Right Matters
Serving a valid Party Wall Notice isn’t just a legal formality — it protects your project from unnecessary risk. Invalid or incomplete notices can:
- Delay your works
- Lead to disputes or injunctions
- Add unexpected surveyor and legal costs
By serving the correct notice in the right way, you keep your project compliant and your neighbour relations on track.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using the wrong type of notice (e.g., serving a boundary notice when you needed an excavation notice)
- Forgetting to include essential details like start dates, descriptions of works, or drawings
- Only notifying one neighbour when multiple owners (e.g., freeholders and leaseholders) should be served
- Assuming informal agreements are enough (they aren’t under the Act)
Final Thoughts
A Party Wall Notice is often the first step in the legal process of getting your project started. Done properly, it protects both you and your neighbour and keeps your project moving forward without costly interruptions.
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