The short answer
You can raise concerns and “dissent”, which triggers the surveyor process and a protective party wall award — but you cannot simply veto lawful work that complies with the Act. Your objection is channelled through the party wall procedure, where a surveyor (often at your neighbour’s cost) deals with access, working hours, protection, method and damage. If the work is unlawful — unnotified, or beyond what the Act allows — different remedies apply.
Why it matters
It helps to be clear about what objecting actually achieves. Dissenting does not stop the build; it means an award sets the conditions. Through your surveyor you can influence:
- working hours and access;
- protective measures and method of work;
- a schedule of condition and your right to compensation for damage;
- in some cases, security for expenses before risky work begins.
What the party wall process is not for: blocking lawful work indefinitely, or settling unrelated disputes. Objections about the planning of the scheme go through the planning system; boundary lines and rights of light are separate legal matters. If the work is outside the Act or has started without notice, you may have court remedies instead.
What to do now
- Narrow the points in dispute. The more the owners can agree between themselves, the less the surveyors have to resolve — which keeps fees proportionate.
- If a surveyor is needed, use one. Both owners can appoint a single impartial ‘agreed surveyor’ rather than one each — quicker, cheaper and less adversarial. Coburns recommends a single agreed surveyor wherever possible.
- Respond to the notice — do not ignore it.
- Dissent if you have genuine concerns, and appoint a surveyor or agree one.
- Raise specific, real concerns — access, hours, protection, damage — through your surveyor.
- Use the planning system for planning objections, and take separate advice on boundaries or right to light.
Common mistakes
- Believing that objecting stops the build — it does not.
- Using the party wall process for planning or boundary grievances.
- Ignoring the notice and losing your protections.
- Appointing an adversarial, fee-driven surveyor.
When to call Coburns
Tell us your concerns and we will act for you proportionately — making sure the works are done properly and your property is protected, without inflating the dispute.