Start here
New to party walls? Begin with these plain-English explainers — what the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is, when it applies, and how the process works from start to finish.
Written by a surveyor
- Karmjit Grewal
- Party Wall Surveyor
- Plain-English guidance
7 articles
How much notice must be given under the Party Wall Act?
The required period depends on the work: two months for a party structure notice (section 3), and one month for a line of junction notice (section 1) or a notice of adjacent excavation (section 6).
Guidance & insightParty wall notices in conservation areas and listed buildings
A conservation area or listed building does not change your duties under the Party Wall Act — but it adds separate heritage consents (planning, listed building consent) you must also obtain.
Guidance & insightParty wall indemnity insurance when buying or selling a house
Party wall indemnity insurance is sometimes offered during a sale when past building work was done without a party wall award. It does not fix the underlying problem — and it offers only limited protection.
Notices & consentWhat is a party fence wall?
A party fence wall is a garden or boundary wall that straddles the boundary line but is not part of a building — for example a brick wall between two gardens. It is covered by the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Guidance & insightParty Wall Act vs Building Regulations vs planning permission
Planning permission, building regulations and the Party Wall Act are three separate approvals. They control different things, and a single project can need all three.
Notices & consentDo I need a party wall agreement if I already have planning permission?
Yes — planning permission and the Party Wall Act are entirely separate. Having planning consent, or using permitted development, does not remove your duty to serve a party wall notice for notifiable work.
Guidance & insightThe Party Wall Act explained in plain English
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is the law that lets you carry out building work near a neighbour’s property while protecting both sides. Here is the whole thing in plain English.
Notices & consentWhat building work requires a party wall notice?
Work to a shared (party) wall, building a new wall on the boundary, and excavating close to a neighbour’s foundations all require a party wall notice under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 — whatever planning consent you hold.
Awards & processWhat is a schedule of condition and why is it important?
A schedule of condition is a dated record — written and photographic — of the adjoining owner’s property before work starts. It is the single most useful protection against unfair or disputed damage claims.
Choosing a surveyorCan I appoint my own party wall surveyor?
Yes. Whether you are the building owner or the adjoining owner, you can appoint a surveyor of your choice — or both owners can agree on a single “agreed surveyor” to keep things simpler and cheaper.
Awards & processHow long does the party wall process take?
For a straightforward matter, allow around one to two months from serving notice to a signed award — longer for basements, multiple neighbours or disputes. The notice period is usually the longest single step.
Notices & consentWhat is a party wall notice and when do I need one?
A party wall notice is the formal written notice you must give your neighbour before starting certain building work near a shared wall, boundary or their foundations under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Guidance & insightThe first party wall knowledge base
A knowledge base is a self-serve online library of information. In this case, it is a library about the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 and its practical administration.
Notices & consentThe Party Wall Act explained in 1 minute
A one-minute overview of when the Party Wall Act applies and the three types of notifiable work.
Awards & processThe party wall process in brief
The party wall process from assessing the work to serving notice and dealing with each neighbour's response.
Guidance & insightCommon misunderstandings about the Party Wall Act
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 has been in force for many years, but it is still widely misunderstood. These misunderstandings often lead to delay, unnecessary costs and poor ne…
Awards & processWhat is a party wall award?
A party wall award is a legal document made by surveyors under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. It resolves a dispute between owners about notifiable works.
Notices & consentMinor works and party wall notices: what requires notification?
Not every minor job to a party wall requires notice under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. The government guidance gives examples of minor works that usually do not require notic…
Notices & consentWhen should party wall notices be served?
Serving party wall notices at the right time is one of the easiest ways to avoid delay. Serve too late and your start date may be pushed back. Serve badly and the notice may n…
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