Received Party Wall Notices?
If you have received party wall notices, it is completely normal to feel uncertain about what it means and what you should do next. Many homeowners search for what to do if you have received party wall notices because the process can feel technical, legalistic, and unclear.
A party wall notice is a formal requirement under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. How you respond can affect your property, your legal rights, and your relationship with your neighbour. This guide explains why you have received party wall notices, the three different types of party wall notice, and how Graham Kinnear Property Consultant helps adjoining owners protect their homes.
Quick answer: what to do if you have received party wall notices
If you have received party wall notices, you will usually have 14 days to respond. Your response options normally include:
- Consenting to the works
- Dissenting and appointing a Party Wall Surveyor
- Agreeing to one impartial surveyor (an “Agreed Surveyor”)
Before responding, it is important to understand:
- what work is proposed
- which type of notice has been served
- whether the notice is valid
- what protections you should put in place
Graham Kinnear Property Consultant can review the notice, explain your options clearly, and act for you as the Adjoining Owner, ensuring your property is properly safeguarded. This will generally be at your neighbours expense and therefore at no cost to you.
Why you may have received a party wall notice
You may receive a party wall notice if your neighbour is planning building works that could affect:
- a shared wall between properties
- a boundary line between two pieces of land
- foundations close to your property
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 exists to prevent disputes and ensure building work is carried out with proper legal and technical protections in place.
The Three Types of Party Wall Notice Explained
1. Line of Junction Notice (Boundary Notice)
A Line of Junction Notice is served when a neighbour proposes to build a new wall:
- on the boundary line, or
- up to the boundary line between two properties
This commonly applies to:
- rear or side extensions
- new boundary walls
- development at the edge of a plot
What it means if you’ve received this notice
If the proposed wall is to be built astride the boundary, your agreement is normally required. If you do not agree, the neighbour may still build, but only on their own land, up to the boundary line.
What to check carefully
- Are clear plans showing the boundary position included?
- Does the notice clearly state whether the wall is astride or adjacent to the boundary?
- Are foundations or access required on your land?
How Graham Kinnear Property Consultant helps
We assess boundary positioning, review drawings, and advise you on the safest and most appropriate response—particularly where boundary accuracy, access, or future development rights could be affected.
2. Party Structure Notice (Works to a Party Wall or Structure)
A Party Structure Notice relates to works that directly affect a party wall or party structure, such as:
- inserting steel beams for loft conversions
- removing chimney breasts
- cutting into a shared wall
- underpinning or strengthening a party wall
- raising or thickening a party wall
What it means if you’ve received a Party Structure Notice
These works can create risks including cracking, vibration damage, or movement. For this reason, many adjoining owners choose to dissent and have a Party Wall Surveyor formally protect their interests.
Key protections to consider
- A Schedule of Condition recording your property’s existing condition
- Clear working methods and limitations
- Defined responsibility for damage and making good
How Graham Kinnear Property Consultant helps
We act for adjoining owners to:
- confirm the notice is valid
- carry out a detailed Schedule of Condition
- negotiate and agree a robust Party Wall Award
- ensure works are carried out responsibly and lawfully
3. Excavation Notice (Adjacent Excavation)
An Excavation Notice is served when your neighbour plans to excavate:
- within 3 metres of your property and deeper than your foundations, or
- within 6 metres where deeper excavation may affect structural support
This often applies to:
- extension foundations
- basement works
- underpinning
- deep drainage trenches
Why excavation notices matter
Excavation can pose a higher risk of:
- ground movement
- cracking to walls
- settlement
- structural damage
What should be included
- Foundation depths and construction details
- Sections showing distances to your property
- Engineering drawings or method statements
How Graham Kinnear Property Consultant helps
We carefully review excavation proposals and ensure the Party Wall Award includes appropriate safeguards, monitoring measures, and clear procedures if damage occurs.
Should you consent or dissent if you’ve received a party wall notice?
There is no automatic right or wrong answer.
You may consider consenting if:
- the works are minor
- full details are provided
- risks are clearly low
You may consider dissenting if:
- works are structural or involve excavation
- details are unclear or incomplete
- you want formal legal protection
- you want a Schedule of Condition prepared
Dissenting is not being unreasonable—it is a legitimate and sensible way to protect your property under the Act.
Common questions when you’ve received a party wall notice
Do I have to agree?
No. Receiving a party wall notice does not mean you must consent to the works.
What happens if I ignore a party wall notice?
If you ignore it, your neighbour may appoint a surveyor on your behalf, removing your control over representation. Responding properly is always recommended.
Who pays the surveyor fees?
In most cases, the Building Owner carrying out the works pays the reasonable party wall surveyor fees.
What if damage occurs?
A properly prepared Party Wall Award sets out how damage is assessed and repaired or compensated.
How Graham Kinnear Property Consultant helps adjoining owners
If you have received party wall notices, Graham Kinnear Property Consultant provides specialist, independent advice and representation for adjoining owners throughout England and Wales, including:
- Reviewing party wall notices for validity
- Advising on consent, dissent, or agreed surveyor options
- Preparing detailed Schedules of Condition
- Acting as Party Wall Surveyor
- Agreeing clear, enforceable Party Wall Awards
- Protecting your property before works begin
Received party wall notices? Speak to a specialist
If you are searching for “received party wall notices” or “what to do if you have received a party wall notice”, the next step is to have the notice reviewed by a professional who acts in your interests.
Contact Graham Kinnear Property Consultant for clear, practical advice and expert party wall services designed to protect adjoining owners and prevent disputes before they arise.
Contact us today or call us on 01843 583000 to discuss your situation and find out how we can act as your Party Wall Surveyor.
We are members of the Faculty Of Party Wall Surveyors, The Pyramus & Thisbe Society, The Royal institution of Chartered Surveyors, The Chartered institute of Building and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers.
