Do I need a party wall agreement?
You need to serve notice under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 if you are in England or Wales and plan to work on a shared (party) wall, build a new wall on the boundary, or dig foundations within 3 m of a neighbour’s building (or 6 m in some cases). The neighbour can consent in writing or dissent, in which case surveyors agree a party wall award. The Act does not apply in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
What work needs a party wall notice?
- Cutting into a party wall to insert steel beams, as in most loft conversions on semis and terraces.
- Building a new wall on or astride the boundary line, common with side return extensions.
- Excavating within 3 m of a neighbour’s building and deeper than its foundations, or within 6 m where the dig would cut a line drawn down at 45 degrees from the bottom of their foundations.
How much notice do I need to give?
Two months for work to a party wall or structure, and one month for a new boundary wall or for excavation. The neighbour has 14 days to respond. If they do not respond, a dispute is treated as having arisen.
Who pays for the party wall surveyors?
The building owner (you) normally pays reasonable fees for both your surveyor and the neighbour’s surveyor, or for a single agreed surveyor if both sides agree to share one. Fees are commonly around £1,000 to £2,500 per neighbour, depending on complexity.
What happens in Scotland and Northern Ireland?
The Act does not apply. In Scotland, rights over shared walls come from title deeds and, for tenements, the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004. In Northern Ireland work near neighbours is agreed directly. Either way, we record agreements and condition photos before work starts.
Related projects
This guide is general information about building work in the UK, not legal or tax advice. Rules change, so check the current position for your property with the council, HMRC or a qualified adviser before relying on it.