The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 protects you and your neighbours when building work is planned near shared walls or boundaries. If you’re extending, converting a loft, altering structure, or excavating for new foundations, complying with the Act keeps your project lawful, neighbourly, and on schedule.
What the Act Covers
- Work to a party structure (shared walls/floors/party fence walls)
- New walls at the boundary (up to or astride the line of junction)
- Excavation for foundations within 3m (and deeper than your neighbour’s) or within 6m (intersecting a 45° line from your neighbour’s foundation)
Key Requirements (and Correct Notice Periods)
You must serve a formal Party Wall Notice on all affected owners (freeholders and any leaseholders with a term over one year). Occupiers/tenants may also need access notices.
- Section 2 (works to an existing party structure): 2 months’ minimum notice
- Section 1 (new walls at boundary) & Section 6 (adjacent excavation): 1 month minimum notice
- Response window: The adjoining owner has 14 days to reply.
- Consent in writing: No dispute—works may proceed (after the notice period or if it’s waived in writing).
- No reply or a refusal: A dispute is deemed to have arisen and the Act’s surveyor process must be followed.
Tip: Serve early. The statutory clock is a minimum—complex or multi-owner sites often need more time to coordinate.
When a Dispute Arises: Appointing Surveyor(s)
If there’s a dispute (explicit dissent or no reply), the Act requires:
- One Agreed Surveyor (acting impartially for both owners), or
- Two surveyors (one for each owner), who will select a Third Surveyor to resolve any deadlocks.
The surveyor(s) will review the proposals and issue a legally binding Party Wall Award that sets out how, when, and under what protections the works can proceed, and what happens if issues arise.
The Award typically covers:
- The permitted scope and method of the notifiable works
- Reasonable working constraints (time and manner)
- Protective measures and access arrangements
- Liability and a route to resolve any issues that crop up during the build
How Simple Survey Helps
We make compliance simple and keep relationships cordial.
Serving Party Wall Notices
We prepare and serve valid notices on all relevant owners, with correct descriptions, plans (where required for excavations), and statutory timings—so you avoid invalid notices and project delays.
Neighbour Liaison & Negotiation
We manage communications, answer questions, and resolve practical concerns early to reduce the chance of a formal dispute.
Independent Surveyor Support
While we don’t act as Party Wall Surveyors ourselves, we maintain strong relationships with reputable, independent surveyors across the region. If a dispute arises, we can introduce you quickly to the right professional to move things forward.
Why Compliance Matters
Following the Act isn’t just a legal box-tick. It:
- Protects both properties and reduces risk on site
- Prevents injunctions and costly stoppages
- Keeps neighbour relations positive—often crucial on tight urban plots
- Gives you certainty via a clear, enforceable Award when needed
Skipping or mis-serving notices can lead to invalidation, delays, or court action. We’ll help you get it right first time.
Ready to get your notices out correctly?
Speak to Simple Survey about preparing and serving your Party Wall Notices, coordinating with neighbours, and—where needed—introducing trusted third-party surveyors to conclude an Award efficiently.
Contact Simple Survey
team@simplesurvey.co.uk | The most cost-effective Party Wall support in England & Wales.