What is a Party Wall Agreement?

A Party Wall Agreement, more accurately called a Party Wall Award, is the legally binding document prepared by Party Wall Surveyors under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 when a neighbour dissents to a Party Wall Notice. It sets out how notifiable works must be carried out, including methods, timings, access arrangements, protection measures and how any damage will be put right, so both properties are protected while the work proceeds.

What is the difference between a Party Wall Notice and a Party Wall Agreement?

The Party Wall Notice is the starting point: it is simply the formal notification that work is proposed. The Party Wall Agreement (Award) comes later, if the neighbour dissents or fails to respond. The Award is the detailed, legally enforceable document agreed by surveyors that governs how the work is done, what protections are in place, how access is handled and how any damage or compensation will be dealt with.

When do I need to serve a Party Wall Notice?

You must serve a Party Wall Notice if your project involves work covered by the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Common examples include cutting into a shared wall to insert steel beams, removing a chimney breast, raising or rebuilding a party wall, building on or right up to the boundary line, or excavating close to a neighbour’s foundations for an extension, basement, retaining wall or new drainage. A Party Wall Surveyor can confirm whether your specific plans are notifiable.

What information must a valid Party Wall Notice include?

A valid Party Wall Notice should include the building owner’s name and address, the address of the property where the works are proposed, a clear description of the works, the planned start date, reference to the relevant sections of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 and, where appropriate, drawings that show what is proposed. Missing or incorrect information can render a notice invalid and cause delay or challenge later on.

How can my neighbour respond to a Party Wall Notice?

After a valid notice is served, your neighbour normally has 14 days to respond. They can consent to the works, consent but ask for a Schedule of Condition to record the condition of their property, or dissent and request that surveyor(s) are appointed. If they do nothing within the 14-day period, the law treats this as a dissent and the Party Wall Award process must begin before the notifiable works proceed.

What happens if I start work without serving a Party Wall Notice?

Starting notifiable work without serving valid Party Wall Notices means you are not complying with the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. This increases the risk of disputes, can make it harder to resolve damage claims and, in serious cases, may lead to an injunction requiring you to stop, alter or even remove the works. The article stresses that taking the time to serve proper notices, and obtaining a Party Wall Agreement where needed, is far safer and more cost-effective than trying to fix problems later.

How long does the Party Wall Notice and Agreement process take?

The Act requires minimum notice periods, usually one to two months before work starts depending on the type of notice. Once neighbours respond and surveyors are appointed, agreeing a Party Wall Award in a straightforward case commonly takes a matter of weeks. The blog encourages homeowners to start the process early in their planning so that notices, schedules of condition and the Agreement are in place before contractors are ready to begin.

Can my builder handle the Party Wall Notice and Agreement for me?

The article explains that builders are not responsible for complying with the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 and should not be relied upon to serve notices or agree Awards. The legal duty rests with the building owner. While builders can provide technical information, notices and Agreements should be handled by you or, ideally, a specialist Party Wall Surveyor who understands the Act and can manage the process correctly from start to finish.

How can Westville Associates help with Party Wall Notices and Agreements?

Westville Associates offer a free initial consultation for homeowners in Surrey, London and across England and Wales. They can review your drawings, confirm whether the Act applies, prepare and serve valid Party Wall Notices, arrange Schedules of Condition and act as surveyor to agree a robust Party Wall Award. Their aim is to make the legal process clear, protect both properties and reduce the chances of costly neighbour disputes.

Party Wall Agreement Explained 2026

Q: What is a Party Wall Notice?

A Party Wall Notice is the formal written document that a building owner (or their Party Wall Surveyor) must serve on any affected neighbours before starting certain types of work near or on a shared wall, boundary or their foundations. It describes the proposed works, the planned start date and the sections of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 that apply, and it legally triggers your neighbour’s right to consent, dissent or appoint a surveyor.

Last Updated: September 29, 2026

What is a party wall notice?

When planning building work near a shared wall or boundary, you must serve a Party Wall Notice. It involves a formal, legal process, but it’s not as complicated as many homeowners might initially think, especially when a Party Wall Surveyor is involved. However, taking the time to understand what it is and when you need one can save you time, stress and costly disputes later down the line – trust us.

Short answer: A Party Wall Notice is a formal written document you must give your neighbour before starting building work that affects a shared wall, boundary or their foundations. It informs them of your plans and triggers the legal process under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.

Breaking it down

A Party Wall Notice is a legal notice served by the homeowner (or their Party Wall Surveyor) to any neighbours who may be affected by proposed building work. Party Wall Surveyor Cost Guide.

It’s like giving your neighbour a heads-up, but legally – and it’s not optional. You’re required by law to serve the notice before you begin certain types of construction work.

Why a Party Wall Notice will be necessary

The Party Wall Notice is designed to protect both you and your neighbour’s assets by:

Making your plans clear
Giving them time to ask questions or appoint a surveyor
Ensuring all work is carried out safely
Putting legal protection in place if damage occurs
Preventing disputes by keeping the process transparent

Without the proper notice, you may not be legally allowed to start work. If you’ve started work without serving a notice, in serious cases, a court can order the work to be stopped, altered, or even pulled down, costing you time and money, so it’s important to go through the proper channels and follow the correct protocols.

The exact times you need to serve a Party Wall Notice

You must serve a Party Wall Notice when your project involves:

Work on a shared (party) wall, such as cutting in steel beams, removing a chimney breast, or raising the wall.
Building on or up to the boundary line, like building new extensions or boundary walls.
Excavating close to a neighbour’s foundations for extensions, basements or deeper drainage works.

If you’re unsure, a Party Wall Surveyor can confirm whether your planned works fall under the Act.

The information your Party Wall Notice must include:

A valid Party Wall Notice needs to include:

Your name and address
A description of the proposed work
The planned start date
Drawings where appropriate
A clear reference to the Party Wall etc. Act 1996

If any of this is missing, the notice can be considered invalid, causing delays.

What happens once a Notice has been served

Your neighbour has 14 days to respond. They can:

Consent: They agree to the work. No further action is needed, though you may still want a Schedule of Condition (recommended).
Dissent: They want a Party Wall Surveyor involved. This triggers the Party Wall Award process.
Do nothing: After 14 days, this is treated as dissent, and surveyors must be appointed.

This process ensures all work is carried out safely and legally.

Planning work in Surrey or London? Request a quote for serving your Party Wall Notice.

Party Wall Notice vs Party Wall Agreement

A Party Wall Notice is not the same as a Party Wall Agreement – they’re two separate parts of the process.

The Notice is the document you serve at the start.
The Agreement (Party Wall Award) is the legally binding document prepared if your neighbour dissents.

A Party Wall Notice is simply the first step in the Party Wall Act process: a formal way to inform your neighbour of your plans and protect both properties. It’s not designed to cause conflict; it’s designed to prevent it. But if a conflict arises and you live in Surrey or London, Westville Associates can help.

Next Step

If you would like to talk to Simon about your party wall, then please contact him here or simply call 07834 761 411. We cover all of Surrey, Hampshire and London.

Our Lead Surveyor

Simon Burrage

While I specialise in building surveys and party wall work, I can also assist with a range of other survey services. I work with Architects, homeowners, and Landlords across Surrey and London. I have over 10 years of experience and have many clients who have been using me for years. I look forward to meeting new clients and am passionate about helping them solve any issues their new property may have.

    
 
 
         
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Party Wall Agreement Explained 2026

Table of Contents

What is a party wall notice?

Breaking it down

Why a Party Wall Notice will be necessary

The exact times you need to serve a Party Wall Notice

The information your Party Wall Notice must include:

What happens once a Notice has been served

Party Wall Notice vs Party Wall Agreement

Next Step

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