Building on or near the boundary? Here’s when the Party Wall Act applies, which notices you need to serve, and how long it takes.
If your extension is on or close to a boundary with a neighbour, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is likely to apply. It isn’t about permission from the council: it’s a process for agreeing work that affects a shared wall or a neighbour’s foundations.
When does the Party Wall Act apply?
- Building on or astride the boundary line, for example a side return wall
- Cutting into a shared wall, such as inserting steel beams
- Digging foundations within 3m of a neighbour’s building and deeper than its foundations (or within 6m in some cases)
Notices and timescales
You must serve notice before work starts: usually two months for work to a party wall and one month for excavations nearby. Your neighbour then has 14 days to respond. If they consent, work can go ahead once the notice period ends. If they dissent, or don’t reply, surveyors agree a Party Wall Award setting out how the work will be done.
Who pays?
The person doing the work normally pays the surveyor costs, including the neighbour’s surveyor if one is appointed. Building it into your budget and programme from the start avoids surprises. We flag Party Wall matters at the first visit and serve notices as part of our projects.
