Party Wall Notice
Hourican Associates Ltd |
Planning works in SW3 or SW10? A party wall notice Chelsea is the first legal step under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. From townhouses off King’s Road and Cheyne Walk to mansion blocks near Sloane Square and mews properties around the Cadogan estates, projects here often involve shared walls and deeper excavations—making compliant notices, clear neighbour communication and robust records essential.
Party Wall Notice Chelsea: What It Is and Why It Matters
A Party Wall Notice formally informs adjoining owners that you plan to carry out works affecting a shared wall, boundary or nearby foundations. Serving a valid notice early helps to keep timelines on track and prevents avoidable disputes. If you want expert support from the outset, our local Party Wall Surveyor Chelsea service can prepare and serve compliant notices, arrange Schedules of Condition, and, where required, agree a clear Party Wall Award.
Types of Party Wall Notices for Chelsea Projects
- Party Structure Notice (Section 3) – For works to a shared structure, e.g. inserting steel beams for open-plan layouts near Sloane Square or adding a damp-proof course. Learn more about party structures in our guide: Party Wall vs Party Structure.
- Line of Junction Notice (Section 1) – For building a new wall at or astride the boundary, common with side returns by Cadogan Gardens or garden studios around Duke of York Square.
- Adjacent Excavation Notice (Section 6) – For basement digs and deeper foundations within 3–6m of neighbours, frequently required along Cheyne Walk, the Chelsea Embankment and Chelsea Harbour.
Who Serves the Notice and What Comes Next?
The building owner (you) must serve the notice. You can use our free Party Wall Notice templates, but many Chelsea homeowners and architects prefer our professional party wall services to ensure the notice is valid and complete. After service, the adjoining owner has 14 days to respond:
- Consent – Works may proceed (we still recommend a Schedule of Condition for protection).
- Dissent – One or two surveyors are appointed to agree a Party Wall Award before works begin.
- No reply – Deemed dissent; surveyor(s) must be appointed to progress to an Award.
For a broader overview, see our explainer: What is a Party Wall Agreement? and our step-by-step article When Do I Need a Party Wall Agreement?
Chelsea Timelines & Lead Times
Serve at least two months’ notice for Party Structure or Line of Junction works and at least one month for Adjacent Excavations. In conservation areas and for basements, allow time for surveyor appointments and accessing neighbouring properties for a Schedule of Condition. If your neighbour requests an Agreed Surveyor, Hourican Associates can act impartially for both parties where appropriate.
Transparent Fees for Chelsea (SW3 & SW10)
We keep things simple:
- Party Wall Notice Service: £150 + VAT per adjoining owner.
- Schedule of Condition Survey: £385–£585 + VAT (basements priced separately due to extended coverage).
- Full Party Wall Award (end-to-end): usually £1,100–£1,500 + VAT, subject to property and scope.
Hourican Associates are a Chartered Building Consultancy, members of the FPWS and the Pyramus & Thisbe Society, and regulated by RICS, CIOB & MCABE—giving Chelsea homeowners, developers and architects confidence that the process is handled correctly.
Neighbourly Strategy for Chelsea Projects
Good communication reduces risk. Share drawings early, explain methods (especially for basements and steelwork), and propose reasonable working hours. Our guide to resolving party wall disputes outlines how impartial surveyors keep matters fair and proportionate. For building owners starting out, see our Building Owner information. If you have received a notice, our Adjoining Owner guide explains your options.
Chelsea Checklist: Before You Serve a Party Wall Notice
- Confirm which sections apply (1, 3 and/or 6) – our primer on Party Structure Notice helps you decide.
- Plan lead times: two months (Sections 1/3) or one month (Section 6).
- Arrange a Schedule of Condition before works.
- Set realistic start dates that allow time for an Award if there’s dissent.
- Consider an Agreed Surveyor to streamline matters where both sides consent.
Party Wall Notice Chelsea — FAQs
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!
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