We cover Croydon Town Centre, East and West Croydon, South Croydon, Addiscombe, Purley, Sanderstead, Selsdon, Riddlesdown, Thornton Heath, Selhurst, New Addington, Coulsdon, South Norwood, Upper Norwood and surrounding areas.
What Do You Need Party Wall Help With?
I Am Planning Building Work
Send us your architectural and structural drawings. We can identify which works may fall within the Act, who may need to receive notice and which notices should be served.
I Have Received a Party Wall Notice
We can review the notice and drawings, explain what is being proposed and advise on your options before you decide whether to consent or appoint a surveyor.
We Would Prefer One Surveyor
Where a statutory dispute has arisen and both owners agree, one impartial Agreed Surveyor may be appointed rather than each owner appointing a different surveyor.
When Does the Party Wall Act Apply in Croydon?
Not every extension or alteration requires Party Wall procedure. What matters is the proposed construction, its relationship to a party structure or boundary, and the depth and position of any excavation.
Work to a Party Wall or Party Structure
Cutting structural steel into a party wall for a loft conversion, removing a chimney breast, raising a party wall or carrying out certain structural alterations can require a Party Structure Notice under Section 2 of the Act.
Serving notice does not automatically mean a Party Wall Award will be required. If the Adjoining Owner validly consents, the statutory dispute-resolution procedure may not be needed.
Excavation Within 3 or 6 Metres
Within 3 metres, Section 6 can apply where the proposed excavation will go lower than the bottom of the neighbouring building's foundations.
Within 6 metres, it can apply where the excavation would extend below the statutory 45-degree line drawn downwards from the bottom of the neighbouring foundations towards the excavation.
Distance alone therefore does not determine whether a Section 6 notice is required.
Building at the Boundary
Section 1 can apply where a new wall is proposed at the line of junction between neighbouring land.
The procedure depends on whether the wall is proposed astride the boundary or wholly on the Building Owner's land.
The Party Wall Act does not determine the legal position of a disputed boundary.
Croydon Party Wall Notice Periods
| Proposed work | Typical notice | Minimum notice period |
|---|---|---|
| Work to a party wall or party structure | Section 2 Party Structure Notice | Normally 2 months |
| New wall at the line of junction | Section 1 Line of Junction Notice | Normally 1 month |
| Qualifying excavation close to neighbouring foundations | Section 6(1) or 6(2) Notice | Normally 1 month |
Works can fall within more than one section of the Act. For example, a rear extension might involve a new wall at the boundary and separate excavation notices for its foundations.
Section 6 notices must be accompanied by drawings showing the location and depth of the proposed excavation.
Party Wall Issues We Commonly See Across Croydon Property Types
Terraces & Semi-Detached Houses
Extensions and loft conversions to closely adjoining houses can involve structural steel in party walls, new walls close to boundaries and foundations extending below neighbouring foundations.
These are particularly relevant to residential areas including Addiscombe, South Croydon, Thornton Heath, Purley and Sanderstead.
Converted Houses & Flats
Converted properties can have party structures that include floors, ceilings and other separating structures—not only vertical walls.
Leasehold and freehold interests can also mean more than one owner needs to be considered when establishing who should receive notice.
Suburban Extensions & Deeper Foundations
Larger plots do not automatically remove Party Wall obligations. Foundation depth and proximity to neighbouring buildings remain relevant in areas such as Selsdon, Forestdale, Riddlesdown, Coulsdon and New Addington.
For Building Owners in Croydon
Early advice helps establish what is notifiable before the construction programme becomes dependent on neighbour responses.
We can assist with:
- Reviewing architectural and structural drawings
- Identifying the Party Wall works
- Land Registry ownership checks where required
- Identifying relevant Adjoining Owners
- Preparing and serving valid notices
- Managing neighbour responses
- Schedules of Condition
- Agreed Surveyor appointments
- Preparing and agreeing Party Wall Awards where required
A clear notice supported by appropriate drawings can make it easier for neighbours to understand the work and make an informed response.
Received a Party Wall Notice in Croydon?
Receiving a notice does not mean you should automatically consent or automatically object. The appropriate response depends on the work, drawings and potential effect on your property.
We can review the notice and explain whether the statutory process appears to have been followed correctly.
Where appointed as an Adjoining Owner's Surveyor, our work can include:
- Reviewing the notice and drawings
- Considering relevant structural information
- Inspecting the adjoining property
- Preparing a Schedule of Condition
- Considering reasonable safeguards under the Act
- Agreeing appropriate terms within a Party Wall Award
A Party Wall Surveyor acts impartially under the Act rather than as an advocate for the owner who appointed them.
Schedule of Condition Surveys in Croydon
A Schedule of Condition creates a written and photographic record of the visible condition of relevant parts of the adjoining property before construction begins.
It is not automatically required by the Party Wall Act, but it can be valuable evidence for both owners if questions about cracking or other damage arise during or after the works.
The level of inspection should be proportionate to the proposed works. Extensions and loft conversions may require a targeted record, whereas basement or more complex excavation schemes can justify a more detailed survey.
Party Wall Matter or Boundary Dispute?
These are not the same thing.
The Party Wall Act provides procedures for certain works at a line of junction, to a party structure or near neighbouring foundations. It does not give Party Wall Surveyors power to determine an unrelated dispute about the precise legal position of a boundary.
If the main question is "where is my legal boundary?", that issue should be identified separately before assuming the Party Wall procedure will resolve it.
Croydon Planning, Conservation Areas and the Party Wall Act
Planning permission and the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 are separate procedures.
A project may have planning permission or permitted-development status and still require Party Wall Notices because of the actual construction proposed. Equally, complying with the Party Wall Act does not grant planning permission.
Croydon has numerous designated conservation areas, including Central Croydon, Chatsworth Road, Croydon Minster and East India Estate. Additional Article 4 planning controls apply in specific areas including Chatsworth Road, The Waldrons and Kenley Aerodrome.
These planning controls do not change the tests within the Party Wall Act, but the same alteration or extension may need to satisfy both regimes.
How Much Does a Party Wall Surveyor Cost in Croydon?
We provide clear pricing before instruction. The final fee depends on the property, proposed works, number of Adjoining Owners and complexity of the Party Wall appointment.
Party Wall Notices
£150 + VAT per adjoining owner
Including title checks, preparation and service of the notice and follow-up communication.
Schedule of Condition
Typically £385–£585 + VAT
Depending on the works and size of the property. Basement surveys are priced separately where a more detailed inspection is required.
Full Party Wall Award
Typically £1,100–£1,500 + VAT
Depending on the property and project. A full appointment can include serving notice, carrying out the relevant survey and agreeing the Award.
Send us the property address and drawings for a project-specific quotation.
Party Wall Surveyors Across the London Borough of Croydon
We cover the borough from Thornton Heath and Norbury in the north to Purley, Kenley and Coulsdon in the south.
CR0
Croydon, Addiscombe & East Croydon
Croydon Town Centre, East Croydon, West Croydon, Addiscombe, Shirley, Selhurst, Waddon, Park Hill, Forestdale and New Addington.
CR2 / CR8
South Croydon, Sanderstead & Purley
South Croydon, Sanderstead, Selsdon, Riddlesdown, Purley and Kenley, including extensions, loft conversions and excavation close to neighbouring homes.
CR5 / CR7 / SE19 / SE25
Coulsdon, Thornton Heath & Norwood
Coulsdon, Old Coulsdon, Thornton Heath, Norbury, South Norwood, Upper Norwood and surrounding neighbourhoods.
For wider regional guidance, see our South London Party Wall Surveyor page .
Croydon Party Wall FAQs
No. If your work is covered by the Act you must follow the relevant notice procedure, but an Award is not automatically required. If the Adjoining Owner validly consents, surveyor appointments may not be necessary. If a statutory dispute arises, surveyor appointments are then made under the Act.
Within 3 metres, Section 6 can apply where your proposed excavation will go below the bottom of the neighbouring foundations. Within 6 metres it can apply where the excavation would extend below a 45-degree line drawn downwards towards the excavation from the bottom of those foundations. Being within 3 or 6 metres alone does not automatically mean notice is required.
A Party Structure Notice under Section 2 normally requires at least two months' notice. Line of Junction notices under Section 1 and excavation notices under Section 6 normally require at least one month's notice. Starting earlier requires the appropriate written agreement where the Act allows it.
Review the proposed works and notice before responding. You may wish to understand the construction method, drawings, access arrangements, protective measures and whether a Schedule of Condition is appropriate. Hourican Associates can review the notice and explain the options available under the Act.
Not exactly. "Party Wall Agreement" is a commonly used phrase, but under the Act an Adjoining Owner may simply consent to a valid notice. Where a statutory dispute arises and surveyors are appointed, the formal document determining the relevant matters is normally a Party Wall Award.
Not simply by using the Party Wall Act. The Act deals with certain works at the line of junction, party structures and qualifying excavation, but Party Wall Surveyors cannot use an Award to determine an unrelated dispute about the precise legal location of a boundary.
No. Conservation-area and Article 4 planning controls are separate from the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. The same project may need planning permission and separately require Party Wall Notices because of the construction proposed.
Hourican Associates charge £150 + VAT per adjoining owner for the Party Wall Notice service. Standard Schedules of Condition are typically £385–£585 + VAT. Full Party Wall Award appointments are typically £1,100–£1,500 + VAT depending on the property and project. Basement surveys are quoted separately where a more detailed inspection is required.
Why Choose Hourican Associates for Party Wall Advice in Croydon?
Hourican Associates are a Chartered Building Consultancy specialising in Party Wall matters across London, combining technical building knowledge, statutory experience and clear communication.
Specialist
Party Wall Focus
Party Wall surveying is a core area of our practice, including notices, Schedules of Condition, Agreed Surveyor appointments and Awards.
Qualified &
Professional
RICS-regulated Chartered Building Consultancy with professional memberships and qualifications including FPWS, CIOB, MCABE and the Pyramus & Thisbe Club.
Clear
Fees
We set out our proposed fees before instruction so you understand the scope and likely cost of the Party Wall service.
Drawing-Led
Advice
We review the actual project information rather than relying on generic assumptions about extensions, lofts or excavation.
Neighbourly
Approach
We aim to administer the statutory procedure properly while keeping communication clear, proportionate and constructive.
Speak to a Party Wall Surveyor in Croydon
Planning a loft conversion, extension, excavation, chimney removal, structural alteration or boundary wall? Or have you received a Party Wall Notice from your neighbour?
Send us the property address, drawings or notice you have received and we can explain the likely Party Wall requirements and provide a clear quotation.