For Building Owners

If you are planning construction works at your property, you are required to serve notice to all adjoining owners in writing. 

It is best to discuss the works with all of your neighbours before serving notice.

The works could include building a new wall, cutting into a party wall, removing chimneys from a party wall or rebuilding the wall. Minor works such as plastering or drilling to put up shelves do not require notice.

Once notice is served, your neighbour has 14 days to respond.

Your neighbour may choose to:

• Give consent in writing
• Refuse consent, triggering the dispute resolution process
• Serve a counter notice requesting further works.
• If your neighbour does not respond to the notice within 14 days, the dispute resolution process will be triggered.

Consent

If your neighbour consents, you may start work without a Party Wall Agreement.

Dissent

If your neighbour dissents, you can appoint a surveyor together, or each appoint your own surveyor. 

The surveyor/s will produce a Schedule of Condition, recording the existing condition of the wall. 

The surveyor/s will then produce a legal document called a Party Wall Award. This details what work will happen and how it will be carried out.