For adjoining owners
Received a party wall notice from next door? How to respond, whether to consent, protecting your property with a schedule of condition, and choosing the right surveyor — usually at no cost to you.
Written by a surveyor
- Karmjit Grewal
- Party Wall Surveyor
- Plain-English guidance
24 articles
What if I ignore a party wall notice?
Ignoring a party wall notice does not stop the work — after 14 days a dispute is deemed to have arisen, and the building owner can appoint a surveyor on your behalf. You simply lose your say in who acts and how.
Guidance & insightCan I negotiate as an adjoining owner?
Yes — but your leverage is greatest before a dispute arises. Once you appoint a surveyor, the matter passes to the statutory process and your personal bargaining power largely disappears. Use your consent, or your agreement to a single surveyor, as leverage early.
Fees & costsCan I lose money as an adjoining owner?
Not usually. As the adjoining owner you generally do not pay for the party wall process — the main risk of being out of pocket comes from appointing a fee-hungry or incompetent surveyor.
Choosing a surveyorShould I appoint my own party wall surveyor?
In most straightforward cases there is no clear benefit to appointing your own surveyor. A competent agreed surveyor is impartial and must act fairly to both owners — and “it’s free” is not, by itself, a good reason to add a second one.
Guidance & insightShould I consent to a party wall notice?
Consenting to a party wall notice does not concede any of your future rights, and it does not stop you claiming for loss or damage. It simply means you are not asking for the formal surveyor process — so the key is to make sure your property’s condition is recorded first.
Awards & processWhat happens if damage is caused during the work?
If notifiable work damages the adjoining property, the building owner must put it right or pay compensation. The schedule of condition and the party wall award are what make a fair claim straightforward.
Guidance & insightCan I object to my neighbour’s building work?
You can dissent from a party wall notice and have a surveyor protect your interests, but you cannot veto lawful, notifiable work. Objecting triggers the award process — it does not stop the project.
Guidance & insightCan my neighbour come onto my land?
Under section 8 of the Party Wall Act, a building owner and their workers have a right of access to a neighbour’s land to carry out notifiable work — but only with proper notice and only so far as necessary.
Notices & consentWhat happens after I receive a party wall notice?
You have 14 days to respond by consenting or dissenting. Consent means no award is needed; dissent means surveyors are appointed to agree one. Doing nothing for 14 days is treated as a dispute.
Guidance & insightMy neighbour is building an extension – what are my rights?
If your neighbour’s work is notifiable, they must serve you a party wall notice first. You have the right to a surveyor at their cost, a record of your property’s condition, protective award conditions, and compensation for any damage.
Choosing a surveyorChecklist: choosing a good party wall surveyor
Before appointing a party wall surveyor, use this checklist. If several points cannot be answered confidently, proceed with caution.
Choosing a surveyorHow to spot a good versus bad party wall surveyor
The difference between a good and bad party wall surveyor can be measured in cost, delay and neighbour relations.
Choosing a surveyorSo what actually matters when choosing a party wall surveyor?
If professional memberships are not enough, what should homeowners actually look for when choosing a party wall surveyor?
Choosing a surveyorWhat makes a good party wall surveyor?
Choosing the right party wall surveyor matters more than many owners realise. The difference between a competent surveyor and a poor one can be seen in time, cost and neighbou…
Choosing a surveyorDo professional memberships really indicate a good party wall surveyor?
Many homeowners assume professional memberships are a shortcut to finding a good party wall surveyor. That assumption is unsafe.
Choosing a surveyorWhat does it take to be an expert?
Expertise is not created by a job title, a membership badge or attendance at occasional meetings. It comes from knowledge, experience, judgement and the ability to solve real…
Choosing a surveyorWhy Coburns Party Wall is the best party wall surveying firm
Party wall matters can be stressful, technical and expensive if they are handled badly. Coburns Party Wall stands out because we focus on the things that matter most: clarity,…
Fees & costsWhy fee transparency matters when choosing a party wall surveyor
A surveyor’s willingness to explain their fees up front is one of the clearest early signals of how fair and proportionate they will be. Here’s why vague or open-ended fees are a warning sign — and the questions to ask before appointing.
Fees & costsParty wall surveyor costs and fees: a simple guide
Understanding likely party wall surveyor costs helps building owners plan properly and avoid unnecessary disputes. The cost will depend on the work, the number of owners invol…
Fees & costsWho pays party wall surveyor fees?
One of the most common questions in party wall matters is: who pays the surveyors’ fees?
Fees & costsDetermining hourly rates for party wall surveyors
Question: What should a surveyor consider when setting an hourly rate for adjoining owner appointments? Should the building owner’s surveyor question the adjoining owner’s sur…
Fees & costsWhy appointing a fee-driven party wall surveyor is risky for an adjoining owner
Adjoining owners are often told that they can appoint any surveyor they like and the building owner will pay. That is only half the story.
Fees & costsWhy commission-based fees for party wall surveyors are bad for you
Party wall surveyors should be independent, impartial and focused on resolving the dispute created by the notifiable works. Fee arrangements that reward escalation or referral…
Fees & costsWhy fee-driven party wall surveyors don't act in your interests
Not all party wall surveyors approach matters in the same way. Some focus on resolution. Others appear to focus on billable hours, unnecessary correspondence and escalation.
Fees & costsWhy you should avoid appointing a party wall surveyor on an open-ended hourly rate
An open-ended hourly rate is one of the easiest ways for a party wall matter to become unnecessarily expensive.
Fees & costsAbandoned party wall works and surveyor fees
Party wall procedures sometimes begin and the building works are later postponed or abandoned. The question then becomes: who pays the surveyors’ fees?
Fees & costsHow to identify and avoid fee-driven party wall surveyors
A good party wall surveyor should resolve disputes, not create them. Unfortunately, some surveyors appear to be driven more by fees than by proportionate dispute resolution.
Guidance & insightWritten or photographic schedule of condition: which is better?
A schedule of condition records the adjoining owner’s property before notifiable works begin. It is one of the most useful documents in the party wall process because it helps…
Guidance & insightAssessing damage in party wall matters: using the BRE crack classification
Damage arising from party wall works is uncommon, but when it is alleged, proportional assessment is essential.
Guidance & insightAssessing the scale of damage in party wall matters
Damage to an adjoining owner’s property during party wall works is uncommon, but it can happen. When it does, the scale of the damage matters.
Guidance & insightParty wall disputes with vulnerable adjoining owners
Vulnerability requires care, patience and practical flexibility. It does not, however, suspend the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Guidance & insightWhat is not the responsibility of the adjoining owner's surveyor?
The role of the adjoining owner’s surveyor is not fully defined in the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. That uncertainty can allow fee-driven surveyors to expand their role beyond wh…
Notices & consentCan an adjoining owner object to mass concrete underpinning?
Mass concrete underpinning is often proposed for basement and structural works. It is not automatically unacceptable, but it is not automatically acceptable either.
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Planning work, or received a party wall notice? Send your drawings, the notice, or any letter from a surveyor and we’ll tell you exactly where you stand — clear, transparent fees and no obligation.