Party Wall Agreement London
Plain-English guidance on what people mean by a Party Wall Agreement, when written consent is enough and when surveyors make a formal Party Wall Award.
What is a Party Wall Agreement?
“Party Wall Agreement” is a common homeowner and search term, but the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 does not use it as the formal name for every possible outcome.
A Building Owner may serve a Party Wall Notice and receive written consent, in which case no statutory dispute may exist. If a dispute arises, appointed surveyors resolve it by making a Party Wall Award.
Understanding that distinction helps avoid paying for or expecting an Award where valid consent has already resolved the statutory process at that stage.
Three different things
- Party Wall Notice: formal notification of proposed notifiable work.
- Written consent: neighbour agrees to the notified works without section 10 surveyor procedure.
- Party Wall Award: surveyor-made determination resolving a statutory dispute.
- Schedule of Condition: separate evidence of visible pre-works condition.
- Planning permission and Building Regulations remain separate regimes.
Notice, consent or Party Wall Award
The correct route depends on the works and the Adjoining Owner's response, not on the label “Party Wall Agreement”.
Written consent
Where valid consent is given, the section 10 dispute procedure may not be required at that stage.
If a dispute arises, the owners choose the surveyor structure
Both owners may concur in appointing one Agreed Surveyor, or each owner can appoint a separate surveyor under section 10.
Whichever route is used, the appointed surveyor's statutory function is impartial dispute resolution rather than advocacy.
Owner-specific services
- Building Owner Surveyor service.
- Adjoining Owner Surveyor service.
- Agreed Surveyor appointment.
- Party Wall dispute resolution.
How the Party Wall agreement process works
The sequence begins with identifying whether the Act applies and only moves to an Award if the statutory response creates a dispute.
Review works
The proposed work is checked against the Act.
Serve notice
The correct Party Wall Notice is served on relevant Adjoining Owners.
Receive response
The neighbour may consent or a dispute may arise.
Appoint surveyor(s)
One Agreed Surveyor or separate surveyors are appointed if section 10 applies.
Award if required
The matters in dispute are determined and the Award served before relevant work proceeds.
Party Wall Agreement / Award costs
The service needed depends on the response to the notice, so consented matters and full Award appointments should not be treated as the same product.
Party Wall Notice
from £150 + VAT per Adjoining Owner
Preparation and service of the appropriate notice documentation.
Schedule of Condition
typically £385–£585 + VAT
Typical standard range depending on works and property size.
Full Party Wall service
typically £1,100–£1,500 + VAT
Typical range for notice, survey and Award on standard residential matters.
Why appoint Hourican Associates?
Clear terminology prevents unnecessary process and helps owners understand what document or appointment is actually needed.
Hourican Associates is a Chartered Building Consultancy specialising in Party Wall surveying across London. The firm is regulated by RICS. Richard Hourican's supplied qualifications and memberships are MFPWS, BSc (Hons), MCIOB, MCABE and AssocRICS. His Pyramus & Thisbe Society membership is company-supplied, pending a current membership record.
We advise Building Owners and Adjoining Owners throughout Greater London on notices, consent, surveyor appointments and Awards.
Related services & guidance
Party Wall Agreement FAQs
These answers cover practical points not already explained above.
No. 'Party Wall Agreement' is a broad informal phrase. Written neighbour consent and a surveyor-made Party Wall Award are different statutory outcomes.
Not usually where valid written consent means no dispute exists at that stage. Other Party Wall duties still continue.
A dispute arises and the section 10 surveyor procedure is used to resolve the matters in dispute.
Yes, if both owners concur in appointing the same Agreed Surveyor.
No. Planning, Building Regulations and the Party Wall Act are separate regimes.
Yes. Either owner may appeal a Party Wall Award to the County Court within 14 days beginning with the day on which the Award is served.
Need Party Wall Agreement advice in London?
Send us the proposed works, any notice already served and the neighbour's response. We can identify whether you need notice-only advice, consent documentation or a surveyor appointment.
Request Party Wall agreement advice
Call 020 8849 8390 if you would prefer to discuss the matter first.