An Adjoining Owner is any person who owns land, a building, or part of a building that shares a boundary with, or is close enough to, a property where building works are taking place. This includes owners of neighbouring houses, flats, or commercial properties that could be affected by construction within the distances set out in Section 6 of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Adjoining Owner’s Surveyor
If you’ve been served with a Party Wall Notice, you are entitled to appoint your own Party Wall Surveyor. Their role is to review your neighbour’s proposed works, protect your property, and make sure all works are carried out in line with the law.
At Simple Survey, our experienced surveyors act impartially but will ensure your rights as an Adjoining Owner are fully safeguarded throughout the process.
What Types of Work Require a Party Wall Notice?
Your neighbour must serve you with a Party Wall Notice before starting certain notifiable works, such as:
- Extensions to the side, rear, or loft.
- Loft or garage conversions.
- Basement construction or underpinning.
- Alterations to a shared wall, ceiling, or floor.
- Roofing works or chimney alterations.
- Building a new wall on the boundary line.
- Excavating foundations within 3–6 metres of your property.
Should I Dispute a Party Wall Notice?
Dissenting to a Notice can be beneficial. By doing so, you gain:
- A say in how and when works are carried out.
- Legal protection if damage occurs (with compensation rights).
- Potential security funds held aside to cover risky works.
This process is designed to protect your property and prevent disputes from escalating into costly court cases.
Responding to a Party Wall Notice
When you receive a Party Wall Notice, you must reply in writing within 14 days. If you do not respond, a further 10-day notice will be served. If there is still no reply, the Building Owner has the legal right to appoint a surveyor on your behalf.
What If My Neighbour Starts Work Without Serving Notice?
Unfortunately, this happens more often than it should. If your neighbour begins notifiable works without serving a valid Party Wall Notice, they are in breach of the Act. In this case, you should seek immediate advice from a qualified Party Wall Surveyor to protect your property and consider legal remedies, such as an injunction.
Can I Stop My Neighbour’s Building Works?
No. The Act is designed to be facilitative, meaning it allows Building Owners to carry out certain works while ensuring Adjoining Owners are protected. You cannot block works completely, but you can ensure they are carried out safely and lawfully under a Party Wall Award.
Who Pays the Costs if I Dissent?
In most cases, the Building Owner pays the reasonable surveyor fees for both parties, as they are the ones proposing the works. This makes dissenting cost-effective and worthwhile for Adjoining Owners who want to protect their property.
What is an Agreed Surveyor?
Instead of appointing separate surveyors, both you and your neighbour can agree on a single Agreed Surveyor. This can simplify the process and reduce costs, especially for smaller or less complex projects.
Protect Your Property with Simple Survey
At Simple Survey, we act for both Building Owners and Adjoining Owners across the UK. Our surveyors are RICS-registered, highly experienced, and committed to keeping the process simple, stress-free, and affordable.
We’re proud to be the UK’s cheapest professional Party Wall Surveyors, offering transparent fixed fees with no hidden extras.
📩 Get in touch today at team@simplesurvey.co.uk for expert advice and a free initial consultation.