The short answer
A party wall award is the formal, legally binding document that surveyors make under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 to resolve a dispute once a notice has been served. People sometimes call it a “party wall agreement”, but the statutory document is an award. It lets the notifiable work go ahead while protecting the adjoining owner and setting clear rules for both sides.
Why it matters
An award is needed whenever an adjoining owner dissents to a notice, or fails to respond in time so that a dispute is deemed to have arisen. A good award is clear, practical and limited to matters under the Act. It usually records:
- the names and addresses of the owners;
- the appointed surveyor or surveyors;
- a summary of the notifiable works;
- the relevant drawings and method information;
- access arrangements where needed;
- working hours for the notifiable works;
- protection measures for the adjoining owner’s property;
- what happens if damage is caused;
- who pays the surveyors’ reasonable fees;
- the right of appeal to the county court within 14 days.
Most awards are accompanied by a schedule of condition, recording the adjoining owner’s property before work starts. That baseline is what surveyors compare against if damage is alleged later.
What to do now
- If you are the building owner, serve a valid notice first — an award cannot cure a missing or invalid notice.
- Settle your drawings and method information so the award reflects the work you actually intend.
- Check the award only regulates notifiable work, not your whole building project.
- Make sure a schedule of condition is taken before work begins.
- Diarise the 14-day appeal window once the award is served.
Common mistakes
- Treating the award as a general building contract and trying to control non-notifiable work.
- Starting work before the award is served and the schedule of condition is complete.
- Relying on an informal email between neighbours and assuming it does the same job — it does not.
- Missing the 14-day appeal deadline.
When to call Coburns
If you are about to serve notice, have received one, or want an award drafted so it is clear, proportionate and limited to the Act, send us your plans or the notice and we will tell you exactly where you stand.