Party Wall Act 1996 Advice in London
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 protects both you and your neighbours when building work affects a shared wall, a boundary, or the ground close to an adjoining property — and extensions, loft conversions and basements very often trigger it. As RIBA Chartered, ARB-registered architects (Reg No. 089055C) we identify when the Act applies at the design stage and coordinate party wall matters alongside your architectural, structural and building regulations package, working with experienced party wall surveyors.
When the Party Wall Act applies
The Act covers three broad types of work. First, work to an existing party wall or structure — such as cutting in beams for a loft conversion, removing a chimney breast, raising the wall or underpinning it. Second, building a new wall at or astride the boundary line between two properties. Third, excavating near a neighbouring building — broadly within three metres and to a lower level than their foundations, or within six metres and below a line drawn down at 45 degrees — which is common with extensions and basements. If your project falls into any of these categories it is notifiable, and notice must be served on the affected neighbours before work starts.
Notices and the party wall award
Notifiable work requires written notice to each adjoining owner: two months' notice for work to a party wall, and one month for a new boundary wall or for adjacent excavation. A neighbour then has 14 days to consent or dissent — and if they dissent, or do not respond, a dispute is deemed to have arisen under the Act. At that point party wall surveyors are appointed to agree a Party Wall Award: a legal document that sets out how and when the work may proceed, records the condition of the neighbour's property beforehand, and protects both parties. Consent in writing avoids the need for an award, but the notices still have to be served correctly.
How we coordinate party wall matters
Because we identify party wall issues while we are still designing your project, they are dealt with in good time rather than surfacing once a contractor is booked. We prepare clear drawings that neighbours and surveyors can understand, flag the notice periods so they are built into the programme, and coordinate with experienced party wall surveyors alongside the structural and building regulations information — keeping a single point of responsibility. We are architects, not party wall surveyors, so the award itself is handled by an appointed surveyor; our job is to make sure the process runs in step with the rest of your project.
Recent party wall act
A selection of real, completed Shorplans projects.
Basement & Rear Extension Scheme
Fulham, London
Residential Renovation & Loft Extension
Finsbury Park, London
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a party wall agreement for my extension or loft conversion?
You may. If your project cuts into or alters a shared party wall — for example inserting beams for a loft conversion or removing a chimney breast — builds a wall on the boundary, or excavates foundations close to a neighbouring building, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 usually applies and notice must be served. We identify whether the Act affects your project during the design stage.
How long does the party wall process take?
Allow for it in the programme. Two months' notice is required for work to a party wall and one month for excavation or a new boundary wall, and where a neighbour dissents a Party Wall Award must be agreed by surveyors before work can begin. Serving notices early — which we flag as part of the programme — stops party wall matters from delaying your build.
Do you act as the party wall surveyor?
No — we are architects, not party wall surveyors. Our role is to identify when the Act applies, prepare the drawings the process needs, and coordinate with experienced party wall surveyors alongside your architectural, structural and building regulations package, so the whole project stays coordinated. The Party Wall Award itself is produced by the appointed surveyor.
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