Party Structure Notice

Party Structure Notice Experts in London

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Planning works to a shared wall in London? Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, you may be legally required to serve a Party Structure Notice. Hourican Associates are Chartered Party Wall Surveyors (RICS, CIOB, MCABE; members of FPWS & Pyramus & Thisbe Society) providing clear, compliant advice for building owners and adjoining owners across North, South, East and West London.

  • ✅ Party Wall Notices from £150 + VAT per adjoining owner
  • ✅ Schedule of Condition Surveys from £385–£585 + VAT (basements priced separately)
  • ✅ Full Party Wall Award service £1,100–£1,500 + VAT (scope/size dependent)

What is a Party Structure Notice?

A Party Structure Notice is a formal notification required when a building owner intends to carry out certain works directly to a party structure (e.g., a shared/party wall, party fence wall, or party floor/ceiling) under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. The notice must be served on the adjoining owner(s) at least two months before the works begin.

Typical Section 2 works requiring a Party Structure Notice include:

  • Cutting into a party wall to insert steel beams for a loft conversion
  • Raising, thickening, or underpinning a party wall
  • Removing projections (e.g., cutting away chimney breasts)
  • Demolishing and rebuilding a defective party wall

Why choose Hourican Associates?

  • London specialists: Chelsea, Fulham, Kensington, Camden, Islington, Richmond, Wandsworth, Chiswick, Hammersmith, Westminster & beyond
  • Regulated by RICS, CIOB, MCABE
  • Members of FPWS & Pyramus & Thisbe Society
  • Impartial, legally compliant, fixed-fee options

How the Process Works

1) Prepare the Notice

We draft a compliant Party Structure Notice including the building owner’s details, a clear description of proposed works, and the intended start date (observing the two-month statutory lead-in).

2) Serve the Notice

We formally serve notice on all affected adjoining owners. Proper service is essential; defects can invalidate notices and delay the project.

3) Neighbour’s Response

  • Consent – works proceed; a Schedule of Condition is recommended for protection.
  • Dissent & Separate Surveyors – each party appoints a surveyor.
  • Dissent & Agreed Surveyor – both parties appoint one impartial surveyor.

4) Party Wall Award

On dissent, surveyor(s) issue a binding Party Wall Award setting out methods, access, protections, working hours, and includes a Schedule of Condition of the adjoining property.

Party Structure Notice London - Chartered Party Wall Surveyor Hourican Associates.

Our London Party Wall Services & Fees

Serve Party Wall Notices

From £150 + VAT per adjoining owner

  • Legally compliant notices (Party Structure / Section 1 / Section 6)
  • Proof of service & tracking
Request Notices

Schedule of Condition

From £385–£585 + VAT

  • Comprehensive photographic record
  • Basements priced separately due to scope
Book a Survey

Full Party Wall Award

£1,100–£1,500 + VAT

  • All notices, survey, and Award agreed
  • Tailored to complexity & property size
Get a Fixed Quote

Party Structure Notice – Frequently Asked Questions

A Party Structure Notice is a formal notice under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 required for works directly to a party structure (e.g., cutting into, raising, thickening, underpinning, or removing projections such as chimney breasts). It must be served at least two months before works begin.

“Party Wall Notice” is a generic term. A Party Structure Notice (Section 3/2) covers works directly to a party structure. Other notices include a Line of Junction Notice (Section 1) for building at or astride the boundary, and a Notice of Adjacent Excavation (Section 6) for excavations within 3m/6m to specified depths.

The notice should state the building owner’s name and address, the nature and particulars of the proposed works, and the proposed start date complying with the statutory two months’ lead time. Proper identification of all adjoining owners and valid service are crucial to avoid invalidity.

If no written consent is received within 14 days, a dissent is deemed. Each owner can appoint a surveyor, or both may agree on one Agreed Surveyor. The surveyor(s) will then make a binding Party Wall Award regulating the works and protections.

Not necessarily—if the adjoining owner consents in writing, works may proceed without an Award. However, we strongly recommend a Schedule of Condition to record the neighbour’s property before works, providing protection if damage is alleged.

Hourican Associates offer transparent pricing: Notices from £150 + VAT per adjoining owner; Schedules of Condition from £385–£585 + VAT (basements priced separately); Full Party Wall Award service typically £1,100–£1,500 + VAT, depending on property size and complexity.

Yes, but errors in wording, identifying owners, or service methods can invalidate the notice. Appointing an experienced, RICS/FPWS accredited surveyor ensures legal compliance and helps maintain neighbourly relations.

Review the proposals and respond within 14 days. You can consent, or dissent and appoint your own surveyor (or agree to one Agreed Surveyor). We provide independent advice to protect your property and outline your rights of access, security for expenses, and damage resolution.

Excavations are usually notified under Section 6 (Adjacent Excavation) which requires one month’s notice, separate from the Party Structure Notice. Many projects require multiple notices; we assess and serve all applicable notices together.

Works must commence within 12 months of serving the notice and after the statutory period and any Award conditions are satisfied. We programme your project to maintain compliance and minimise delay.

Need Help with a Party Structure Notice in London?

Hourican Associates are experienced Chartered Party Wall Surveyors, fully regulated by RICS, CIOB & MCABE and members of the FPWS & Pyramus & Thisbe Society. We draft and serve legally valid Party Structure Notices, prepare Schedules of Condition, and agree impartial Party Wall Awards under the Party Wall Act, giving you peace of mind and protecting both you and your neighbours.

We cover all parts of London, including Chelsea, Kensington, Fulham, Clapham, Richmond, Islington, Camden, Wandsworth, and surrounding boroughs.

Get a Fixed-Fee Quote for Your Party Structure Notice

Note: Our fees are transparent and depend on property size and project complexity. A Schedule of Condition Survey is highly recommended for most works to record your neighbour’s property before construction begins. Contact our accredited surveyors today for tailored advice.

Richard Hourican. Specialist Party Wall surveyor, London

Richard Hourican, Company Director

BSc (Hons). HND Build. MCIOB. C.Build E MCABE. ARICS. MFPWS. MPTS

As a specialist Party Wall surveyor, Richard Hourican will protect your interests during building works.

Are you planning a building project – perhaps an extension, loft conversion or basement – that is on or adjacent to your property’s boundary line? Or has a ‘Party Wall’ notice dropped on the doormat informing you of a neighbour’s impending works?

It’s essential to understand all the implications of building plans. If you don’t, it could cost thousands. Our job is to ensure everything is done correctly – and that it doesn’t!

Contact us

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90 Google Reviews for London Party Wall Surveyor
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Lisa Story
Lisa Story
15 Aug 2025

Used for a Party Wall Agreement. Incredibly efficient, fast and very responsive to any questions. Thank you!

Charlie
Charlie
01 Aug 2025

I found out I needed party wall awards from no less than 8 neighbours and AFTER strip out works. Richard Hourican made saving the day a breeze, meeting all our new neighbours and walking them through the somewhat complicated party wall process. I had been told that one could do party wall awards yourself, I now understand there is absolutely no way that would have been done correctly or as efficiently without the help of Richard and his team. I recommend you call him and explain your situation, he'll sort it and give you a very reasonable fee for the pleasure.

Martin Azzinnaro
Martin Azzinnaro
26 Jul 2025

I can’t recommend Richard and Hourican Associates highly enough. From the outset of our loft conversion project, they demonstrated professionalism, deep expertise, and a calm, solution-focused approach that proved invaluable. Not only did Richard provide clear, practical guidance through the technical and regulatory aspects, but he also managed sensitive party wall matters with diplomacy and clarity. His ability to communicate effectively, mediate concerns, and ensure we remained compliant with all building approvals gave us great peace of mind throughout the process. If you're considering any home extension or loft work, especially where neighbour relations or party wall matters might become tricky, I’d strongly recommend working with Hourican Associates. An absolute asset to any project.

James Williamson
James Williamson
11 Jul 2025

Provided excellent advice on handling of a party wall award - would recommend.

Roberto Palmer
Roberto Palmer
24 Jun 2025

Very professional service

N. Burgess
N. Burgess
28 Apr 2025

Richard came highly recommended and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to anyone - especially if, like us, the party wall issues are complex. Richard is terrifically knowledgeable about the practices and law concerning party wall boundaries and very experienced. He is also great to deal with - responsive and highly professional. In our case, he was able to navigate the complexities (and personalities involved) with great skill. We are enormously grateful to him.

Peter Stimson
Peter Stimson
06 Mar 2025

Richard has acted as my Party wall surveyor and has has been incredibly responsive, knowledgeable and helpful throughout the process - he has a great set of contacts so if he doesn’t know the answer to something, he’ll know a man you does - throughly recommend

Gang Hu
Gang Hu
26 Feb 2025

Our friend introduced Richard to us to help on party wall matters. His work was delivered in a very efficient and timely way with high quality. Great experience and highly recommended.

Ash Island Lofts
Ash Island Lofts
20 Feb 2025

I first met Richard in Sept 2016 for a coffee, he went through his services and we gave him a trial run on a fairly complex party wall award requirement for a mid terrace in Fulham SW6. He booked the Schedule of Condition survey the following day and had the awards in my email within the week. Richard is now our main recommended PWS and since then has completed 100s of jobs for our clients. Richard is courteous, strong on customer service, good value, extremely knowledgeable and always a pleasure to deal with.

Jack
Jack
18 Feb 2025

I have worked with Richard for few years now and have nothing but praise. Fast acting, fair costing and thorough work. Clear communication is given throughout which makes working with Richard so much easier.

D Wilks
D Wilks
13 Jan 2025

I have worked with Richard on various basement projects in London and always found him very quick to respond to any emails and gets the party wall awards in place quickly with a fixed costs. He is our go to Party Wall surveyor..

CH Chiam
CH Chiam
18 Dec 2024

This is the second time I’ve used their party wall services. I find Richard to be very knowledgeable and always has time to answer my questions. I’ll recommend his services to my friends.

Contact us for advice on how the Party Wall Act applies to your project & get a free quotation.

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