Party walls construction

Most construction projects will affect another building in some way. Depending on the type of works involved, owners of adjoining buildings may need to be notified and the details of the work agreed with them or, in the absence of agreement between the parties, agreed by specialist surveyors that are appointed by them.

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 confers rights on a developer intending to carry out building works relating to ‘party walls’ or excavations close to a boundary. Where works are notifiable under the Act and the developer has served notice on the neighbour, the Act offers a compulsory dispute resolution mechanism through the appointment of surveyors if the parties cannot reach an agreement on the works.

A surveyor's agreement is recorded in an award, which must be served immediately on the owners. Either owner may appeal against it in the county court.

This section is maintained by Megan Davies of Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner. 

RICS standards: Party wall legislation and procedure 

Document template: Party walls structure notice