I've Received a Party Wall Notice - What Should I Do Next?

You’ve Received a Party Wall Notice - Don’t Panic

If a Party Wall Notice has landed on your doormat, it can feel unsettling. Your neighbour is planning building works that could affect your home, and the legal language can be confusing. The good news is that the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 exists precisely to protect you and the costs of doing so are usually paid by your neighbour, not by you.

In this guide, our Chartered Party Wall Surveyors in North London explain what your options are, how to respond, and how to make sure your property is properly protected.

Why Have I Received a Party Wall Notice?

A Party Wall Notice is a legal notification that your neighbour (the Building Owner) is proposing to carry out building works that fall within the Party Wall Act. These works might include:

• A loft conversion involving steel beams in the shared Party Wall
• A rear or side extension involving excavation close to your property
• A basement conversion involving underpinning or deep excavation
• A new wall being built on or near the boundary

Receiving a Notice does not mean anything has gone wrong - in fact, the opposite is true. Your neighbour is following the correct legal process.

Your Three Options as the Adjoining Owner

You have 14 days from the date you receive the Notice to respond. You have three options:

1. Consent

You can consent to the proposed works. This brings the Party Wall procedure to an end and your neighbour can proceed once the notice period expires.

Even if you consent, we strongly recommend you ask for a Schedule of Condition of your property to be carried out before works begin. This records the state of your home and protects you if damage occurs later.

2. Dissent and Appoint an “Agreed Surveyor”

You can dissent and agree with your neighbour to appoint a single, impartial Party Wall Surveyor to act for both of you. This is often the most cost-effective route where the works are straightforward and the relationship with your neighbour is good.

3. Dissent and Appoint Your Own Surveyor

You can dissent and appoint your own Party Wall Surveyor. Your neighbour will appoint their own Surveyor and the two work together to produce a Party Wall Award. This could considered the right route for complex works, such as basement excavations where you want a Surveyor focused solely on protecting your interests.

Who Pays for Your Surveyor?

In almost all cases, the Building Owner (your neighbour) pays the reasonable costs of your appointed Party Wall Surveyor. This is part of the framework of the Act and is one of the most reassuring things to know as an Adjoining Owner: you can have professional representation without it costing you anything.

What If I Do Nothing?

If you don’t respond within 14 days, a dispute is deemed to have arisen under the Act. Your neighbour will write to you formally giving you a further 10 days to appoint a Surveyor. If you still do not respond, they are entitled to appoint a Surveyor on your behalf to act for you.

In other words, ignoring the Notice does not stop the works. It just removes your ability to choose the Surveyor who will be acting in your interests. We strongly recommend you respond with the statoury timeframes.

What Should the Party Wall Award Protect?

A good Party Wall Award should give you:

• A detailed Schedule of Condition of your property, photographed and documented before works begin
• Clear method statements setting out how the works will be carried out where appropriate‍
• Reasonable working hours restricting noise and disruption‍
• Access arrangements if your neighbour’s contractors need to come onto your property‍
• A clear route for resolving damage claims if anything goes wrong‍
• Security for expenses where appropriate, especially for higher-risk works such as basements

Don’t Let Your Neighbour’s Works Worry You

The Party Wall Act gives you real protection - but only if you engage with the process. Appointing a specialist Party Wall Surveyor early, at no cost to yourself, is the single most important step you can take.

Free Advice for Adjoining Owners in North London

If you’ve received a Party Wall Notice in North London and you’re unsure what to do next, our Chartered Party Wall Surveyors are here to help. We regularly act for Adjoining Owners and we’ll explain everything clearly, in plain English.

Take a look at our My Neighbour is Building guide for more information, or contact our team today for advice.