Party Wall Surveying Services – London & South East
Professional advice and surveying under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Harding Chartered Surveyors provide clear, impartial guidance on all aspects of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 across London and the South East. Whether you’re planning an extension, loft conversion or basement works, or you’ve received a notice from a neighbour, our Party Wall Surveyors can help you understand your obligations, avoid delays, and keep projects moving.
This hub brings together everything you need in one place: when a Party Wall Notice is required and how to serve it correctly; what a Party Wall Award includes and how it protects both owners; typical costs and timelines; practical Adjoining Owner Advice; how disputes are resolved; and guidance for special cases such as chimney removals, garden walls and deeper excavations. You’ll also find concise FAQs and links to in-depth articles, templates and step-by-step process guides. If you need tailored advice or an urgent appointment, contact our party wall team for prompt, professional support.
🧩 Party Wall Process & Notices
A Party Wall Notice is a legal requirement under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 whenever you plan building work that could affect a shared wall, boundary or structure. Serving notice correctly ensures your project remains compliant and helps prevent costly delays or neighbourly disputes — especially common in London and the South East where properties are closely built.
You’ll need to serve a notice before starting work such as:
Loft conversions or extensions that involve cutting into, exposing, or altering a shared wall or chimney breast.
Excavations for excavations within 3 metres of a neighbouring structure if digging below the neighbour’s foundation depth, or within 6 metres if deeper than a 45° line from the neighbour’s foundation. These requirements are covered by Section 6 of the Party Wall Act.
Building new walls up to or astride the boundary line.
The building owner (the person carrying out the work) must serve written notice on the adjoining owner (the neighbour affected). Each notice must describe the proposed works, include relevant drawings, and specify a start date. Where several adjoining properties share a boundary — such as in flats or terraced houses — individual notices must be issued to each owner.
After receiving the notice, the adjoining owner has 14 days to respond. They can consent, dissent and appoint a surveyor, or fail to reply — which automatically triggers a dispute resolution process. Once surveyors are appointed, they prepare a Party Wall Award setting out how the works should proceed and any protective measures.
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Our Party Wall Surveyors mediate and prepare impartial Awards for both building and adjoining owners across London & the South East.
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Did you know? Failure to serve a Party Wall Notice can delay your project or lead to disputes.
🧭 Key Notice Facts
Act: Party Wall etc. Act 1996
Who serves: Building Owner
Who receives: Adjoining Owner
Notice period: At least 2 months for works on an existing party structure; 1 month applies to excavations or building new walls at/near the boundary
Response time: 14 days
Next step: Party Wall Award if dissent
🧾 Party Wall Awards & Surveying
A Party Wall Award is the formal legal document issued once surveyors have been appointed and the notice stage is complete. It sets out the agreed conditions under which the building works may proceed, protecting the interests of both owners and ensuring full compliance with the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
When a dispute arises—or if a neighbour simply doesn’t consent—each party appoints a Party Wall Surveyor (or one Agreed Surveyor acting for both sides). Harding Chartered Surveyors prepare impartial awards that balance the rights of the building owner to carry out works with the adjoining owner’s right to protection from unnecessary risk or damage.
Before an award is drafted, we carry out a detailed Schedule of Condition, recording the neighbouring property’s state through notes and photographs. The award then defines how the work must be executed, sets out access arrangements, and specifies what happens should any damage occur.
A Party Wall Award includes:
Record of condition before works
Terms of access and protection
Resolution procedure if damage occurs
The award is usually issued after the notice period ends and surveyor inspections are complete, allowing the project to move forward legally and safely.
If a disagreement arises once an award is served, see the section below on Party Wall Disputes & Resolutions ↓
A properly drafted award legally authorises the works and avoids expensive post-work disputes.
💡Party Wall Award Facts
🧑⚖️ Who prepares it: Independent Party Wall Surveyor
📋 When issued: After surveyor inspections & notice period
📄 Legal basis: Party Wall etc. Act 1996
📆 Typical timescale: 2 – 4 weeks after inspection
⚖️ Party Wall Disputes & Resolutions
Even with clear notices and professional communication, disagreements between neighbours sometimes arise under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. A dispute is deemed to exist when an adjoining owner refuses consent, fails to reply within 14 days, or raises objections to the proposed works. In these cases, surveyors are appointed to act independently and ensure that both parties’ rights are properly protected.
Common disputes include:
No agreement reached after a Party Wall Notice has been served. In such cases, the Act requires each party to appoint a surveyor, or agree to one impartial surveyor acting for both. → What happens when there’s no Party Wall Agreement »
Damage to an adjoining property during or after the works. Surveyors inspect and refer back to the original Schedule of Condition to determine liability and agree any repairs or compensation. → Learn more about damage resolution »
Refusal to sign or allow access. Some neighbours deny entry for inspections or ignore notices altogether; in these cases, surveyors can issue an award granting lawful access. → What if my neighbour refuses access? »
Once surveyors have investigated and agreed the facts, they issue a Party Wall Award outlining how the works must proceed and any remedial steps. If either party disagrees with the award, they can appeal to the County Court within 14 days.
By handling disputes through professional, statutory procedures rather than personal negotiation, most issues are settled quickly and without further conflict — allowing your project to continue safely and lawfully.
📞 Need help now?
Our Party Wall Surveyors mediate and prepare impartial Awards for both building and adjoining owners across London & the South East.
Get Expert Advice →
📋 Common Issues
No Party Wall Agreement
Damage to a neighbouring property
Neighbour refusing access
Appeal against an Award
If your neighbour doesn’t reply to a notice within 14 days, a dispute is automatically deemed to exist under the Act — but surveyors can still resolve it quickly and without confrontation.
💡Party Wall Disputes Facts
When a dispute arises: No response or refusal after a Party Wall Notice.
Who resolves it: One Agreed Surveyor or two independent RICS surveyors.
Legal framework: Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Typical resolution time: 2–6 weeks from appointment.
💷 Party Wall Costs & Timelines
Understanding the likely costs and timescales involved in a Party Wall matter helps homeowners budget accurately and keep their projects on track. Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, the building owner – the person carrying out the works – is normally responsible for paying all reasonable surveyor fees and any costs relating to the Party Wall Award.
Surveyor fees can be fixed or charged hourly, depending on the complexity of the project. Straightforward extensions or loft conversions may involve a single surveyor acting for both parties; more complex or disputed cases usually require two independent surveyors, increasing the total cost.
From the point a Party Wall Notice is served to the issue of the final Award, the process typically takes six to eight weeks, although this can vary depending on how quickly both parties respond.
| Type of Work | Typical Cost (Guide) | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Loft Conversion | £900 – £1,200 | 4 – 6 weeks |
| Extension | £1,000 – £1,500 | 6 – 8 weeks |
For a more detailed breakdown of surveyor fees and the factors that influence them, see our Party Wall Costs Guide »
✅ Get a Party Wall Quote Today
If both parties agree to appoint a single Agreed Surveyor, the overall cost can often be reduced by up to 40%.
📊 Cost Quick Facts
Who pays: Usually the building owner
Fee type: Fixed price or hourly rate
Average survey fee: £900 – £1,500 per property
Typical duration: 6 – 8 weeks from notice to award
🧑🤝🧑 Adjoining Owner Advice
If you’ve received a Party Wall Notice from your neighbour, it means they intend to carry out work that may affect your shared or adjoining wall. As the adjoining owner, you have clear rights and protections under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
You have three options when a notice is served:
Consent to the proposed works — this allows the project to proceed without a formal dispute, though you still retain rights under the Act.
Dissent and appoint your own surveyor, who will act solely in your interest to ensure your property is protected.
Agree to an Agreed Surveyor, where one impartial professional acts for both parties to prepare the Party Wall Award.
Whichever route you choose, it’s strongly recommended that a Schedule of Condition is prepared before any works begin. This provides a photographic and written record of your property’s condition so any future damage can be fairly assessed and resolved.
💡 Tip: Even if you consent, recording the property’s condition protects you from future disputes.
Learn more:
📞 Need help now?
Our Party Wall Surveyors mediate and prepare impartial Awards for both building and adjoining owners across London & the South East.
Get Expert Advice →
If you don’t respond within 14 days, the law assumes you dissent — meaning a surveyor must be appointed to protect your interests.
📜 Quick Facts
Notice received from: The building owner planning works
Response time: 14 days from receipt
Your rights: Consent, dissent, or appoint a surveyor
Key protection: Schedule of Condition before works begin
❓ Party Wall FAQs & Resources
1. Do I always need a Party Wall Notice?
Yes, if your proposed works affect a shared wall, boundary, or involve excavations close to another property, a notice must be served in writing before work begins. Find out when a notice is required in our Party Wall Notice Guide »
2. Can my neighbour stop my building work?
They can’t stop lawful works that comply with the Party Wall Act, but they can dissent and appoint a surveyor to ensure their property is protected. The process is designed to balance both parties’ rights fairly.
3. What if my neighbour doesn’t respond?
If your neighbour doesn’t reply within 14 days, a dispute is automatically deemed to exist, and surveyors will need to be appointed. Read our guide: No Party Wall Agreement »
4. Do I need a Party Wall Notice for a party fence wall?
Yes, if you intend to build, demolish, or alter a party fence wall — such as a garden wall that straddles the boundary line — you may need to serve a Party Wall Notice. This is because party fence walls fall under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 when structural changes are involved. However, timber fences and temporary structures are not covered by the Act.
Read Our Guide: Party Fence Wall
5. Can I add insulation to a party wall without notifying my neighbour?
You may need to serve notice. If the insulation involves cutting into or applying materials directly onto a shared wall, especially in flats or terraces, a Party Wall Notice is usually required. Internal insulation that affects the structure or sound transmission across the wall may also be notifiable.
Read Our Guide: Party Wall Insulation
6. Do I need a Party Wall Agreement for a loft conversion?
Almost certainly. Loft conversions often involve structural work such as inserting steel beams into a shared wall or removing part of a chimney breast — both of which require a Party Wall Notice. If your neighbour dissents, a formal Party Wall Agreement (Award) must be drawn up by surveyors before work can legally proceed.
Read Our Guide: Party Wall Agreement Loft Conversion
7. Who is responsible for a shared chimney stack under the Party Wall Act?
If the chimney stack is on or across the boundary line and shared, any removal, alteration or repair work must be notified via a Party Wall Notice. Both owners are typically responsible for maintenance, but proposed changes by one party trigger obligations under the Act to protect the neighbour’s property and access rights.
Read Our Guide: Shared Chimney Stack
8. What exactly is a Party Wall Agreement?
A Party Wall Agreement — formally called a Party Wall Award — is a legally binding document issued by surveyors when a neighbour dissents to a notice. It outlines how the proposed works will proceed, includes access conditions, protective measures, and a Schedule of Condition. It protects both parties and ensures legal compliance.
Read Our Guide: Party Wall Agreement
9. What happens if I don’t serve a Party Wall Notice?
Failing to serve a Party Wall Notice when required can delay your project and leave you legally exposed. Your neighbour could apply for an injunction to halt the works, or claim for damage. Without a notice, there’s no legal framework to resolve disputes or limit liability — always serve notice correctly.
Read Our Guide: Failure to Serve Party Wall Notice
For more detailed information, visit our Full Party Wall FAQs page »
Many disputes arise simply because notices are served incorrectly. Using a professional Party Wall Surveyor ensures your documents are valid and your project stays compliant.
📚 Quick Links
📞 Need help now?
Our Party Wall Surveyors offer expert party wall services and can help mediate and prepare impartial Awards for both building and adjoining owners across London & the South East.
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📍 Areas We Cover
Harding Chartered Surveyors provide Party Wall surveying services across all areas of London and most of the South East.
Our experienced Party Wall Surveyors act for both building and adjoining owners, helping homeowners navigate the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 quickly and professionally — wherever your property is based.
Greater London
📞 Need help now?
Our Party Wall Surveyors mediate and prepare impartial Awards for both building and adjoining owners across London & the South East.
Get Expert Advice →
South East England
🤝 Meet the Team
Jeremy Goldney
Director of Party Wall Matters
Alex Hooper
Senior Party Wall Surveyor
