Received a party wall notice?
If your neighbour is planning work to a shared wall, on the boundary or close to your foundations, they must serve you a party wall notice. Here are your options. If you need a surveyor to protect your interests, the building owner normally pays our fees.
You have 14 days to respond
The notice should come with a response form. You can:
- Consent. You agree to the work going ahead without an award. This is best kept for minor work where the risk of damage disputes is low.
- Dissent and agree to the building owner's surveyor acting as the "agreed surveyor" for both of you.
- Dissent and appoint your own surveyor to represent your interests.
If you don't respond within 14 days, the law treats that as a dissent. If you then don't appoint a surveyor within 10 days of a further request, one can be appointed on your behalf.
Should I consent or dissent?
We generally advise consenting only if the work is minor and you believe the chance of a dispute over damage is low. Dissenting doesn't mean you're objecting to your neighbour's project. It simply means an award will be put in place. That lets you have a say in the "time and manner" of the work, and it ensures your property is formally protected.
Bear in mind that while consenting may seem a good way to keep relations friendly and save on fees, it shifts the responsibility, and potentially the cost, onto you if problems arise later. Weigh this carefully.
Consenting? Still get a schedule of condition. A record of your property's condition before the work starts is the most useful evidence you can have if cracks or other damage appear later. More about schedules of condition →
How we can help
- Explaining the notice you've received and what the work involves
- Acting as your appointed surveyor, or as the agreed surveyor
- Recording the condition of your property before work starts
- Agreeing protective measures, working hours and access in the award
- Dealing with any damage claims under the award
Adjoining owner questions
Do I have to pay for my own party wall surveyor?
Normally not. The building owner is usually responsible for the reasonable fees of the adjoining owner's surveyor as well as their own.
Can I stop my neighbour's building work?
The Party Wall Act doesn't give you a veto over work your neighbour is entitled to carry out. It makes sure the work is done in a way that protects your property, and that any damage is put right. Planning objections are a separate matter.
What if my property is damaged?
If there's an award, the surveyors deal with damage under its terms, using the schedule of condition as the baseline. The building owner must make good any damage caused, or pay compensation.
Not sure if the Act applies to your project?
Tell us what you're planning. We'll tell you, free of charge, whether you need to serve notice and what happens next.