Party Wall Notices in London
Before any building work takes place near or on a shared wall, boundary, or neighbouring property, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 requires that the building owner formally notify their neighbours. These formal communications are known as Party Wall Notices. At Hourican Associates, our Chartered Party Wall Surveyors in London specialise in drafting and serving notices correctly, helping you avoid disputes, delays, or invalid notices that could stop your project.
What is a Party Wall Notice?
A Party Wall Notice is a formal written notice served by a building owner on their adjoining owner(s) before certain types of construction or excavation works are carried out. The notice informs neighbours of the planned works and their legal rights under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Serving this notice correctly is essential — if it’s incomplete, inaccurate, or improperly served, it can delay your project or even invalidate your Party Wall Award later on.
We ensure that all Party Wall Notices we serve are fully compliant with the Act, properly referenced to your architectural drawings, and issued with the correct response forms and explanatory notes for your neighbours.
The Three Main Types of Party Wall Notice
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 sets out three principal types of notice. Our experienced surveyors will confirm which apply to your project and ensure each one is correctly drafted and served.
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Section 1 Notice – Line of Junction Notice
Served when you plan to build a new wall on or at the boundary line between two properties. This often applies to extensions or new builds where foundations are close to a neighbour’s land. -
Section 2 Notice – Party Structure Notice
Required when works affect an existing shared wall or structure. This includes cutting into, raising, or demolishing part of a shared wall — for example during a loft conversion, chimney removal, or wall underpinning. For further reading, see our guide to Party Structure Notices. -
Section 6 Notice – Adjacent Excavation Notice
Necessary when excavating within 3 metres (or sometimes 6 metres) of a neighbouring property, depending on the depth of the proposed foundations. Common examples include basement works and deeper foundations for extensions involving significant excavations.
Our experienced London Party Wall Surveyors determine which notice(s) apply to your project and ensure they are served to all relevant adjoining owners correctly and within the statutory timescales.
Why Choose a Chartered Surveyor to Serve Your Party Wall Notices?
While anyone can technically serve a Party Wall Notice, using a qualified Party Wall Surveyor like Hourican Associates dramatically reduces the risk of errors, disputes, and costly delays.
Working with us ensures:
- Full compliance with the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
- Notices drafted with correct legal wording, plans, and section references.
- Clear, easy-to-understand explanatory notes for neighbours to encourage consent.
- Fewer disputes and faster project progress through accurate documentation.
- Accurate identification of all adjoining owners and relevant boundaries.
Mistakes in Party Wall Notices are one of the most common causes of project delays. Our team ensures your notices are legally valid from the outset, protecting your project and your relationship with neighbours across North, South, East and West London.
Free Party Wall Notice Templates
We understand that some homeowners like to handle early stages themselves. That’s why we offer free Party Wall Notice templates for straightforward projects, along with guidance notes to help you understand your obligations.
However, even a small error — such as omitting the correct section reference, using the wrong description of works, or not identifying all adjoining owners — can invalidate a notice. We therefore always recommend having your notice reviewed or served by a Chartered Party Wall Surveyor for complete legal protection.
You can request a free notice template and professional guidance by contacting our team on 020 8050 3232 or completing our online Party Wall surveyor quote form.
Our Party Wall Notice Service
Our Party Wall Notice Service is designed to take the stress and uncertainty out of serving notices, leaving you free to focus on your project while we manage the legal and procedural requirements.
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Identify Adjoining Owners
We review title information, layout plans, and local context to identify all adjoining owners and properties requiring notification under the Act. -
Draft Section 1, Section 2 & Section 6 Notices
We prepare tailored Party Wall Notices for your specific works, ensuring accurate descriptions, correct section references, and clear links to your drawings. -
Serve Notices Correctly
Notices are served by recorded delivery or in person where required, in accordance with the provisions of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, with full records kept for your protection. -
Manage Responses & Next Steps
We provide neighbour response forms, handle acknowledgements, explain the options to consent or dissent, and advise on the next steps if a Party Wall dispute arises — including the preparation of a Party Wall Award.
By using a single, experienced team for notices and subsequent awards, you minimise risk, reduce duplication, and keep your project moving smoothly.
Party Wall Notice Costs & Timescales
Our Party Wall Notice Service is available from £150 + VAT per adjoining owner, reflecting our commitment to clear, transparent pricing.
Notices are typically drafted and served within 1–2 working days of receiving your full instructions and drawings, helping your project progress without unnecessary delay.
If a neighbour dissents to the notice, our surveyors can act promptly to prepare a Party Wall Award, ensuring the works continue legally and safely in accordance with the Act.
Why Choose Hourican Associates for Party Wall Notices?
Hourican Associates are Chartered Building Consultants regulated by RICS, CIOB, and MCABE. We are proud members of the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors (FPWS) and the Pyramus & Thisbe Society, providing trusted Party Wall Surveyor services across London.
- Fully qualified and regulated Chartered Party Wall Surveyors.
- Extensive experience serving notices for loft conversions, extensions, basements, and commercial projects.
- Clear, neighbour-friendly documentation aimed at reducing disputes and encouraging consent.
- Transparent fees and rapid turnaround times for projects across North, South, East and West London.