Trusted Party Wall Surveyors for Hassle-Free Compliance
Ensuring Compliance & Peace of Mind
Navigating party wall agreements can be complex, and mistakes can lead to costly delays or legal disputes.
At Manchester Party Wall Surveyors, our Chartered Building Surveyors, ensure your project complies with the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, protecting your property rights while keeping neighbour relations smooth.
Whether you need to serve a notice, resolve a dispute, or secure a Party Wall Award, our expert team handles the process efficiently, saving you time, stress, and unexpected expenses.
Contact us today!
Do I need to serve a party wall notice?
You need to serve a party wall notice if you are:
Which Section Notice do I need to serve?
Section 1 - Building on the Boundary Line
You must serve notice if you are:
- Building a new wall directly on or up to the boundary line.
- Constructing a wall astride the boundary
- Extending an existing wall to the boundary.
Example Work:
- Building an extension on your property, extending or building a garage, or extending a garden wall along the boundary.
- Constructing a new property up to the boundary line. Whether a new house, office, or outbuilding, constructing close to another property requires approval under the Party Wall Act.
Why it matters
- Your neighbour must be informed and given the chance to agree or dispute the work before you build on or near their property. A Party Wall Notice allows time for discussions, reducing the likelihood of disputes and potential objections.
- Unauthorised work can lead to legal challenges, injunctions, and increased costs.
Section 2 - Work on an Existing Party Wall
A notice is required if you plan to:
- Cut into a party wall (e.g., inserting beams for a loft conversion).
- Raise, extend, or thicken the party wall.
- Demolish and rebuild the party wall.
- Underpin or strengthen the wall’s foundation. Essential for basement projects, extensions, or any work that alters the stability of the shared wall.
Example Work:
- Loft conversions requiring steel beams inserted into the party wall.
- Extending an existing party wall upwards.
- Installing chimneys or flues that require cutting into a party wall.
- Creating a basement that requires strengthening the party wall.
Why it matters
- Your neighbour must be informed and given the chance to agree or dispute the work before you modify a shared wall.
- Legal Compliance & Avoiding Delays – Failure to serve notice can result in legal disputes, work stoppages, and potential fines. Unauthorised work can lead to injunctions or forced removal
- Ensure Structural Integrity & Prevent Future Damage – Unauthorized changes can weaken the wall, leading to disputes, liability, and costly repairs.
Section 6 - Excavation Near a Neighbouring Property
You must serve a notice if you are:
- Excavating within 3 metres of a neighbour’s building and digging below their foundations.
- Excavating within 6 metres, where digging might affect their foundations. If your excavation cuts through a line extending 45° from the bottom of their foundation, a notice is required.
Example Work:
- Digging foundations for an extension close to a neighbour’s house.
- Excavating for a new basement near an adjoining property. Basement projects often involve deep excavations that can impact surrounding foundations, requiring proper notification.
Why it matters
- Excavation work can weaken a neighbour’s foundations. A formal notice allows time for necessary assessments, ensuring both properties remain structurally sound.
- Unauthorised work can lead to legal challenges, injunctions, and increased costs.
Can I do this myself without a surveyor?
- You can serve a party wall notice yourself, but mistakes can make it invalid.
- Many DIY notices fail due to incorrect templates downloaded online.
- Our expert service ensures accuracy, saving time and potential legal issues.
Need help drafting your notice? Let us handle it for you
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Stress Free - Very Reasonable Fees
I needed to serve a party wall notice for my extension, and Manchester Party Wall Surveyors made the process completely stress-free. They handled everything from drafting the notice to liaising with my neighbour’s surveyor, ensuring everything was legally compliant. Their knowledge of the Party Wall Act was impressive, and they kept me updated throughout. The whole process was smooth, and their fees were very reasonable. I highly recommend them to anyone needing a reliable and professional party wall surveyor!
James T ( Manchester)
What Happens After Serving a Notice?
See the timeline of events below:
Notice Served
Once the party wall notice is served, the adjoining owner has 14 days to respond. They can either consent or dissent. If they do not respond, the law treats it as a dispute, and the process moves forward to the next stage.
Neighbour Responds
If the neighbour consents, work can begin once the statutory notice period is waived. If they disagree or fail to respond, the process enters dispute resolution, requiring surveyors to be appointed.
Appointing an Agreed or Separate Surveyor
Each party must appoint a party wall surveyor, or they may agree to use a single surveyor. The surveyor(s) assess the work, ensure compliance with the Party Wall Act, and protect both properties.Party Wall Award Issued
The surveyor(s) issue a Party Wall Award, a legally binding document setting out how the work should proceed. It includes protective measures, work conditions, and a property condition record to prevent future disputes.Work Begins – Rights & Responsibilities
Once the award is issued, work can start. Any damage must be assessed and remedied as outlined in the award. If either party objects, they have 14 days to appeal through the County Court.
Who Pays for a Party Wall Surveyor?
In most cases, the building owner proposing the work is responsible for covering the reasonable costs of the adjoining owner, including their surveyor’s fees and any additional expenses such as structural engineers. While you may be able to agree on a fixed fee with your own surveyor, the adjoining owner’s surveyor will set their own costs. Choosing a surveyor based solely on the lowest fee can lead to delays or complications if the process isn’t handled correctly. To ensure a smooth and legally compliant process, speak to our experienced party wall surveyors today.
