The importance of a schedule of condition in a party wall agreement
Why a dated record of your neighbour's property protects both owners.
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In short
A schedule of condition records the existing condition of the neighbouring property before work starts, with dated photographs and notes. Without it, it's very hard to prove whether a crack was caused by the work or was already there. It protects the building owner from unfair claims and the neighbour from unrepaired damage.
What it records
- Rooms and elevations next to the work
- Existing cracks, with location and size
- Ceilings, floors, decorations and finishes
- Chimneys, roofs and external walls where relevant
When it's used
After the work, the surveyor compares the property against the schedule. New damage is put right by the building owner or paid for, as the award sets out. Existing defects aren't the building owner's responsibility.
Worth having even with consent
If your neighbour consents, no award is needed, but a schedule of condition is still a low-cost way for both of you to avoid arguments later.
See our schedule of condition service.
Common questions
Who keeps the schedule of condition?
Both owners and their surveyors should keep a copy. It forms part of the party wall award.
Source: Party Wall etc. Act 1996 (applies in England and Wales).
Written by Guy Crouch BSc (Hons) MRICS, Director and Chartered Building Surveyor at Manchester Party Wall Surveyors. Last reviewed 26 October 2026. This page is general guidance, not legal advice. About our team
Planning work near a neighbour?
Speak to a chartered surveyor before you start, not after.