Party Structure Notice

Party Structure Notice Experts in London

If you’re planning works that affect a shared wall, you’ll likely need to serve a Party Structure Notice under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. At Hourican Associates, our Chartered Party Wall Surveyors provide fully compliant notices, impartial advice, and legally binding awards—ensuring your project runs smoothly and neighbourly relations are protected.

Learn About Party Structure Notices

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

Follow us:

98 Google Reviews for London Party Wall Surveyor
Google logo
Elliot Bates
Elliot Bates
22 Jul 2021

Richard was very efficient, fuss-free, and well organised. A pleasure to work with.

Jonathan Mun
Jonathan Mun
02 Jul 2021

I engaged Hourican & Associates for a Party Wall Agreement with 2 adjoining neighbours who are both tenants. Richard was very responsive from first contact and remained so throughout the consultation and when the Awards were issued. Very professional at all times and answered any questions in a timely manner. Our neighbours, both tenants and landlords didn't have any complaints either. I have recommended Hourican to some friends who may need similar services in the near future and wouldn't hesitate to use them again if needed.

Morgan Nelson
Morgan Nelson
05 Sep 2020

Great Service, even with the impediment of a 2020 lockdown. Great communication

Isaac Tooby
Isaac Tooby
30 Jul 2020

Richard Hourican dealt with my party wall notices on both sides for an extension and loft conversion. Very efficient and knowledgeable. He got it all dealt with very quickly. Would definitely recommend!

Serban Georgescu
Serban Georgescu
22 Sep 2019

Richard & team helped us sort out a party wall agreement with an unresponsive neighbour. Everything went smoothly and on time so I would recommend their services.

Henry Richards
Henry Richards
03 Sep 2019

Richard worked efficiently to a very tight deadline, managing all counterparties excellently and with clear impartiality. Technically able, with an excellent knowledge of the Act, and an ability to explain to the layman. I would highly recommend and would definitely use him again.

Rory Dunnett
Rory Dunnett
18 Jun 2019

Working with Richard has been the easiest part of our recent building project, would certainly use again. He agreed the Party Wall Awards quickly and without any prompting needed from our side.

Diana Evans
Diana Evans
06 Jun 2019

We couldn’t be happier with the professional advice and service we received from Richard. He went above and beyond our expectations in handling a particularly difficult party wall award which we are extremely grateful for. I highly recommend Richard’s services to anyone and will definitely use his services again in the future.

jacqueline munro
jacqueline munro
20 May 2019

Excellent service, would highly recommend. Richard made the party wall process pain free with both my neighbours happy with the agreements which were drawn up. Chiswick W4

Charly Swingler
Charly Swingler
16 May 2019

Richard is a very professional and supportive expert. We have received lots of really helpful advice from the company and as such we feel assured we are carrying out our works appropriately. He is really friendly and puts complicated legal jargon into a laypersons language! I would most definitely use Hourican & Associates again and would not hesitate to recommend them to all. Thank you Richard!

Jennifer Cannon
Jennifer Cannon
13 May 2019

We were extremely impressed with the service provided by Hourican Associates. We needed a Schedule of Condition completed to a tight deadline. Richard and his team were able to squeeze us in last minute to accommodate the project. Very professional and competitively priced service. I would highly recommend.

Paul C
Paul C
22 Nov 2018

I would thoroughly recommend H&A having been referred by the company who are doing my loft conversion, about an unusual party wall matter. Richard was very helpful, professional and knowledgeable and willing to give some free, solid advice. A rarity these days! Should I need the services of a surveyor again in the future, I wouldn’t hesitate to use them and would I’d recommend wholeheartedly to others.

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

Contact us