Party Wall etc. Act 1996
What Is a Party Wall Agreement — and Do You Need One?
If your builder, solicitor or neighbour has mentioned a "party wall agreement", here's what that actually means and what you need to do first.
The agreement is the outcome. The notice comes first.
A party wall agreement — its legal name is a Party Wall Award — is the document that records what building works are permitted and how any potential damage will be handled. It protects both you and your neighbour.
But here's what most people don't realise: you cannot get a party wall agreement without first serving a statutory notice on your neighbour. The notice is the legal starting point. The agreement follows from it.
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 requires you to serve written notice before starting certain types of work — including loft conversions, rear extensions, basement excavations, and work on or near a shared boundary wall.
Serving the correct notice is a legal requirement. Getting it wrong can delay your build, invalidate your planning permission, or expose you to a claim from your neighbour.
The good news: the notice itself is straightforward. You can produce the correct statutory document online in under 10 minutes.
There are three types of notice under the Act
Section 1 Notice
Line of Junction Notice
For new walls built on or astride the boundary line between two properties.
Learn more →Section 3 Notice
Party Structure Notice
For works to an existing party wall or party fence wall — including loft conversions, extensions and structural alterations.
Learn more →Section 6 Notice
Adjacent Excavation Notice
For excavations within 3 or 6 metres of a neighbouring building, including foundations and basement works.
Learn more →Not sure which one applies to you? The checker below will tell you.
Check whether your works require a notice
Answer a few quick questions about your planned works. This takes about 60 seconds.
What kind of work are you planning?
Pick the option closest to your project. You can refine details on the next screen.
Ready to create your notice?
Your statutory party wall notice is produced as a correctly formatted PDF, ready to serve on your neighbour. It includes all required statutory information under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Single notice
£48 inc VAT
Two or more notices
From £30 each inc VAT
- Produced instantly — download your PDF immediately
- Covers all three notice types (Sections 1, 3 and 6)
- Drafted in accordance with the Party Wall etc. Act 1996
- Used by homeowners across Kent, Essex and the Midlands
- Overseen by experienced, qualified party wall surveyors
Common questions about party wall agreements
Do I need a solicitor to serve a party wall notice?
No. The notice is a statutory document you are entitled to serve yourself, or via a party wall surveyor. Our online service produces the correctly formatted document for you to serve directly on your neighbour.
What happens after I serve the notice?
Your neighbour has 14 days to respond. They can consent in writing (which avoids the need for an agreement), dissent and appoint a surveyor, or do nothing — in which case dissent is deemed after 14 days. If surveyors are appointed, they produce the Party Wall Award (the agreement).
How long does a party wall agreement take?
The notice period is 14 days for a Section 1 or 3 notice and one month for a Section 6 notice. The agreement itself depends on how quickly surveyors are appointed and inspections carried out — typically 4–8 weeks from the notice date.
Can I start work before the agreement is in place?
No. You must wait until either your neighbour has consented in writing, or the Party Wall Award has been made. Starting work without this exposes you to an injunction and potential liability for damage.
What if my neighbour ignores the notice?
If they do not respond within 14 days, a dispute is deemed to have arisen and both parties must appoint surveyors. Our "Find a Surveyor" tool can help you locate an agreed surveyor in your area.
Start with the notice. The agreement follows.
Thousands of homeowners each year delay their build because they didn't realise the notice had to come first. Don't let paperwork hold up your project.