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Neighbours

Under the Party Wall Act 1996 it is your legal right have an independent Party Wall Surveyor appointed to represent you, paid for by the Building Owner/ developer carrying out the works.

My Neighbour is Carrying Out Works

If your neighbour is planning building works and you’re unsure what it means for you, we’re here to help.
Just share a few details below, and we’ll get back to you to talk through the proposals in plain, simple terms.
In most cases, your neighbour is responsible for your surveyor’s reasonable fees under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 – so there is usually no cost to you.
We aim to keep things straightforward, amicable, and stress-free.

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Help Us Understand Your Party Wall Issue

Share your basic details and what type of construction work your neighbour is planning. The more information you provide, the faster we can assess the impact and advise you on the next steps. Uploading any notices or drawings is optional but helpful.

Your Details:

What works is your neighbour planning? (Tick all that apply.)

Has your neighbour indicated when they want to start?

(Tick all that apply.)

Upload Drawings (optional)

If you have received a notice or any drawings, you can upload them here. Even one document helps us give clearer advice.

Neighbours Party Wall Extension

Been served a party wall notice? These are the key issues to consider when responding
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Disruption & Access

Neighbours extension party wall notices can often include notice to access to your property in order to undertake the notifiable building works. While the Party Wall Act allows this...
Neighbours extension party wall notices can often include notice to access to your property in order to undertake the notifiable building works. While the Party Wall Act allows this, a party wall agreement for extension will put in place criteria to both mitigate disruption and prevent property damage.

Structural Implications

The Party Wall Act allows certain works that otherwise wouldn’t be allowed under common law. With that right comes a responsibility to ensure the party wall works do not prejudice
The Party Wall Act allows certain works that otherwise wouldn’t be allowed under common law. With that right comes a responsibility to ensure the party wall works do not prejudice or damage neighbouring property. Having a party wall award in place both provides an additional level of oversight and also a low cost, easy access means to have things put right if an issue does emerge.

Legal Implications

The Party Wall Act enables construction that can impact neighbouring property and also change the legal relationship between properties and structures. Creating a 'party' relationship...

The Party Wall Act enables construction that can impact neighbouring property and also change the legal relationship between properties and structures. Creating a 'party' relationship has legal implications and potential future costs implications.

It's important these are understood before agreeing to notifiable party wall works and a neighbour building extension party wall agreement is drawn up with an understanding of these legal implications.

What is a Party Wall Award?

A Party Wall Award, also known as a Party Wall Agreement, is a legally binding document that sets out the rights and obligations of neighboring property owners who are...

A Party Wall Award, also known as a Party Wall Agreement, is a legally binding document that sets out the rights and obligations of neighboring property owners who are carrying out building work that affects a shared wall or boundary. The Party Wall Award is typically used in situations where the building work being undertaken by one property owner could potentially impact the structural integrity or stability of a shared wall or boundary with the adjoining property.

Does My Neighbour Need A Party Wall Agreement

It depends on the nature of the work your neighbor is planning to carry out. If the work involves certain types of construction, such as building a new...

It depends on the nature of the work your neighbor is planning to carry out. If the work involves certain types of construction, such as building a new wall on the boundary line or excavating near the boundary line, then your neighbor may need to serve you with a party wall notice and enter into a party wall agreement with you.

- Extensions
- Loft conversions
- Chimney removal
- Basements
- Works to boundary walls
- Excavations within 3m of your property
- Construction along boundary line

My Neighbour Started Work Without Party Wall Agreement, what should i do?

If your neighbour has started work without serving you with a party...

If your neighbour has started work without serving you with a party wall notice and entering into a party wall agreement, they may be in breach of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.

The first step is to talk to your neighbour and ask them about the work they are carrying out. They may be unaware of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 and the need for a party wall agreement. If this is the case, you can inform them of their legal obligations and suggest that they serve you with a party wall notice.

If your neighbour continues to ignore their legal obligations and carry out the work without a party wall agreement, you may need to seek advice from a party wall surveyors or solicitor . It's important to have the works legalised to protect your property.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find out more about the Party Wall Act and process

What is the Party Wall Act?

The Party Wall Act 1996 is designed to enable building works while encouraging neighbourly communication, agreement and compromise. To do this it sets out a prescribed process that has to be followed.

Failing to follow the Party Wall Act process can cause significant disputes, legal and construction costs.

Common types of works that affected by the Party Wall Act:

  • Extensions
  • Loft conversions
  • Chimney removal
  • Basements
  • Works to boundary walls
  • Any excavations within 3m of your neighbours property
  • Any construction along boundary line
A party wall is a wall that separates two adjoining homes. Being shared by both homes, it gives the owners on either side have a legal interest in the wall.

Technically, it can be a illegal tresspass if the owner on one side carries out works to the wall without the consent of their neighbour. It can be a complex area of the law which covers more than one type of wall and situation.

The best known example of a party wall is the shared wall that separates adjoining occupiers in terraced or semi-detached houses. It can though also be af floor (for flats) as well as other structures and situations.
Yes. It is a legal requirement.

Failure to comply wiht the Act can epxose Building Owners to significant legal costs and claims for damages, real or imagined, if a Party Wall Award hasn’t been cretaed recording the works and proeprty condition.

The legal costs can dwarf the ‘damages’ costs if a neighbour were to take out an injunction in event no Party Wall Award has been created.

The Party Wall Act prescribes definite timescales thnat have to be followed unless the adjoining owner/ neighbour agrees to a shorter timescale.

Depending on the works, 4 or 8 weeks is common. For complex and signifianct projects it can take up to a year.

The cost varies.

For simple projects, having the required notices professionally drawn up and served on neighbours (from £29*), can be sufficient to discharge responsibilities under the Act.
Other wise awards start at £550* and increase depending on the project complexity.
*exc. VAT. Prices as of Oct 2025.

If your neighbour has commenced works that are notifiable under the Party Wall Act but has failed to serve the appropriate valid notices then a temporary injunction can be applied for at the County Court by the Adjoining Owner (neighbouring property).

This prevents works from continuing until a Party Wall Surveyor has been appointed to agree and produce a Party Wall Award. An injunction can be costly for the Building Owner carrying out works. In addition to legal costs, without a Schedule of Condition, the Building Owner/ developer can be exposed to additional claims for property damages that become difficult to counter.

Further information on the Party Wall Act can be found below:

FPWS Explanatory Guide
The Party Wall Act 1996