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Party Wall Agreements Explained
If your extension involves work on or near a shared wall or boundary with a neighbouring property, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 may require formal notice — separately from, and in addition to, planning permission and Building Regulations.
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When the Act Applies
- ✓Building on the line of junction (boundary) with a neighbouring property
- ✓Excavating within 3–6 metres of a neighbouring building's foundations, depending on depth
- ✓Work directly to a shared (party) wall, such as cutting in a beam
Many single storey rear extensions trigger the Act purely through the excavation-proximity rule, even where the extension itself doesn't touch the boundary.
The Notice Process
Formal written notice must be served on affected neighbours at least two months (for line-of-junction work) or one month (for adjacent excavation) before work starts. Neighbours then have 14 days to consent, dissent, or do nothing — which is treated as a dissent after that period.
If a Neighbour Dissents
This doesn't stop the project. A Party Wall Surveyor (or two — one per party) is appointed to produce a Party Wall Award, a legal document setting out how and when the work can proceed, and recording the condition of the neighbouring property beforehand to protect both sides if a dispute arises later.
How We Handle This
We flag whether your project is likely to trigger the Act at the initial site visit, and can recommend a surveyor if notice needs to be served — this is scoped into the project programme from the outset rather than discovered as a delay once work is due to start.
FAQ
Related Questions
Do I need a Party Wall Agreement for a loft conversion?
Often yes, if the work involves inserting steel beams that bear onto a party wall shared with a neighbour.
How much does a Party Wall Award cost?
Costs vary by surveyor and complexity, but it's standard practice for the building owner to cover reasonable surveyor fees on both sides.
Can my neighbour refuse to let me build at all?
No — the Act is designed to allow lawful building work to proceed while protecting the neighbour's interests; a dissent leads to a surveyor's Award, not a block on the work.
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