For building owners
Planning work near a shared wall, boundary or neighbouring foundations? Guidance on serving notices, getting consent, keeping your project moving and avoiding costly delay.
Written by a surveyor
- Karmjit Grewal
- Party Wall Surveyor
- Plain-English guidance
22 articles
Is it a good idea to prepare and serve party wall notices yourself?
If you are carrying out building work near a shared wall, boundary or neighbouring foundations, you may need to serve party wall notices under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Notices & consentWhy hire a party wall surveyor for notice preparation?
Preparing your own party wall notices may look like a simple way to save money. In practice, it often leads to invalid notices, delay, neighbour concern and higher costs later…
Notices & consentIs notice required for repairs following damage from notifiable works?
Damage can sometimes occur during notifiable works. When it does, one of the first questions is whether fresh party wall notices are needed before the damage is repaired.
Notices & consentServing notice for a roof space conversion
Roof space conversions in attached buildings often involve cutting beams or other structural support into a party wall. Where that happens, the building owner will usually nee…
Notices & consentNotice requirements for underpinning a ground-floor flat
Question: A ground-floor flat leaseholder plans to underpin rear external walls that are not party walls. What notices should be served on the freeholder and the leaseholder o…
Notices & consentUnderstanding deemed service of party wall notices sent by first-class post
Service dates matter in party wall work. Response periods, deemed disputes and appointment steps all depend on when a notice is treated as served.
Notices & consentHandling party wall notices when selling a property
Question: If an adjoining owner receives a party wall notice shortly before selling their property, must they tell the buyer? If they consent to the notice, is the buyer bound…
Notices & consentWhat to do if your neighbour does not respond to a party wall notice
If your neighbour does not respond to a party wall notice, it does not automatically mean you can start the notifiable works. The correct next step depends on which type of no…
Notices & consentBuilding a wall up to, on or across the boundary
Building near a boundary is one of the most common reasons for serving a party wall notice. The correct process depends on whether the proposed wall is wholly on your land or…
Notices & consentHow to get consent to build a wall up to, on or across the boundary
If you are planning to build a new wall at or near the boundary, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 may apply. The process depends on whether the wall is to be built wholly on your…
Guidance & insightBasement extensions and encroachment
Basement excavations raise understandable concerns for neighbouring owners. One of the most serious concerns is encroachment onto adjoining land.
Guidance & insightAdding an additional floor: rights of access and objections
Question: Can a building owner raise a studwork wall against an existing party parapet wall for an additional floor and access the adjoining owner’s roof to install tiles, fla…
Guidance & insightWhat are my options for a loft extension?
A loft extension can add valuable space, but the right option depends on the roof shape, planning position, budget and structural design. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 may also…
Guidance & insightBuilding contracts and the Party Wall Act: protecting your interests
When notifiable works are carried out, building owners often assume that any damage caused to neighbouring property is simply a matter for the contractor.
Guidance & insightInsurance and the Party Wall Act
Insurance is often misunderstood in party wall matters. Many owners assume that an insurance clause in an award automatically protects the adjoining owner. In reality, it is r…
Guidance & insightGetting your neighbour to appoint an agreed surveyor
Convincing your neighbour to appoint an agreed surveyor can reduce cost, delay and tension. The key is to approach the issue fairly and avoid making the neighbour feel pressur…
Disputes & enforcementHow to get your neighbour to agree to one surveyor
Appointing one agreed surveyor is often the fastest, cheapest and least confrontational way to deal with party wall matters. It works best when the adjoining owner feels prope…
Disputes & enforcementWhy one surveyor can be better than two
There are many advantages to appointing one competent and genuinely independent agreed surveyor under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 instead of each owner appointing a separate…
Fees & costsWays to minimise party wall procedure costs
Party wall procedures do not need to be expensive. Costs usually rise because of avoidable mistakes, poor communication, late service or unnecessary escalation.
Guidance & insightIslamic finance, the Party Wall Act and building owners
Islamic finance arrangements can make ownership checks more complicated in party wall matters. A Land Registry search may show the finance provider as the registered owner, ev…
Guidance & insightMaterial shortages and the Party Wall Act
Material shortages can affect party wall works by delaying start dates, prolonging access and leaving adjoining owners inconvenienced for longer than expected.
Guidance & insightWorking hours and the Party Wall Act: what actually applies
Party wall awards often include working hour restrictions. However, those restrictions usually apply only to the notifiable works covered by the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, not…
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