Party Wall Survey for Party Structure Works (Section 2 Notice) in London

What Are Party Structure Works?

Under Section 2 of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 , party structure works are any works that directly affect a shared or adjoining wall, floor, or partition between two properties. These shared elements are known as “party structures”; our article Party Wall vs Party Structure – what’s the difference? explains the distinction in more detail.

Common examples of Section 2 party structure works include:

• Cutting into a party wall to insert steel beams for a loft conversion
• Removing or rebuilding a chimney breast on a shared wall
• Raising, thickening or otherwise altering a shared wall
• Demolishing and rebuilding a wall that separates two properties
• Underpinning or repairing a wall that supports both buildings
• Cutting into a floor structure between flats or maisonettes

If your proposed works involve any of these, you are legally required to serve a Party Structure Notice (Section 2 Notice) at least two months before work starts. Our guide When do I need a Party Wall Surveyor? is a useful starting point if you are unsure whether your project falls under the Act.

At Hourican Associates, our Chartered Party Wall Surveyors in London handle Section 2 Notices, Schedules of Condition and Party Wall Awards for projects ranging from simple chimney removals to full structural refurbishments.

Our Party Wall Survey Service for Section 2 Works

We manage the entire Section 2 process from initial assessment through to the agreed Party Wall Award, coordinating with your structural engineer, architect and contractor to keep your programme on track.

1. Initial Assessment
   We review your proposed works, structural drawings and specifications to confirm whether a Section 2 Party Structure Notice is required, and identify all affected adjoining owners.
2. Preparation and Service of Notices
   We draft and serve valid Party Structure Notices (Section 2 Notices) on all adjoining owners. Notices are prepared in accordance with the Act and clearly describe the party structure works you plan to undertake.
3. Surveyor Appointment
   If your neighbour dissents or fails to respond within 14 days, surveyors must be appointed. We can act as your Building Owner’s surveyor and, where both parties agree, as the Agreed Surveyor for both sides. Where separate surveyors are appointed, we work collaboratively to agree a fair and practical Party Wall Award.
4. Schedule of Condition Survey
   Before works begin, we undertake a detailed Schedule of Condition Survey of the adjoining property, including written notes and photographs. This protects both parties by recording pre-existing condition and reducing the likelihood of disputes about alleged damage.
5. Preparation of the Party Wall Award
   We prepare a legally binding Party Wall Award that sets out how and when the party structure works will be carried out, including construction methods, access, working hours, protection measures, and damage/repair procedures. Only once the Award has been agreed and served can works lawfully commence.
6. Post-Work Advice & Re-Inspection
   After the works are complete, we can re-inspect the adjoining property, advise on any damage claims and help resolve issues in line with the Award. Our Party Wall dispute resolution service is available where disagreements arise.

Why Section 2 Notices and Party Wall Awards Are Important

Works that affect shared structures are inherently sensitive; they can impact the stability, fire resistance and sound insulation of both properties. If not properly documented and agreed, they can quickly lead to serious disputes.

By serving a valid Section 2 Notice and agreeing a Party Wall Award, you:

• Ensure full legal compliance with the Party Wall etc. Act 1996
• Protect both properties from poorly planned or uncontrolled works
• Clearly allocate responsibility for damage, access and repairs
• Maintain positive neighbourly relations with a transparent process
• Reduce the risk of injunctions, delays and escalating legal costs

Our surveyors ensure each step is handled correctly, providing peace of mind for both building owners and adjoining owners. For a broader overview, see Understanding Party Wall issues and how surveyors save you thousands .

Why Choose Hourican Associates for Section 2 Party Structure Works

Hourican Associates is a specialist Chartered Building Consultancy focused on Party Wall and neighbourly matters throughout London. We bring technical structural understanding and legal precision to every project.

• Chartered Building Consultancy regulated by RICS, CIOB and MCABE
• Members of the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors (FPWS) and the Pyramus & Thisbe Society
• Specialists in Section 1, 2 and 6 Party Wall matters
• Fast, impartial and fully compliant service
• Clear communication and competitive fixed fees

Whether you are carrying out a loft conversion, chimney breast removal, structural refurbishment or flat reconfiguration, we ensure your party structure works are properly controlled under the Act. For more general guidance, visit our Party Wall Frequently Asked Questions section and What is a Party Wall? .

We provide Section 2 Party Wall services across Chelsea, Kensington, Fulham, Chiswick, Westminster and all London boroughs.

Common Projects Requiring a Section 2 Party Structure Notice

Many popular home improvement and development projects in London involve party structure works and therefore require a Section 2 Notice, including:

• Loft conversions involving new steel beams or dormer extensions on a party wall
• Chimney breast removal on shared walls in terraced and semi-detached houses
• Structural repairs, reinforcement or thickening of shared masonry
• Raising or demolishing shared walls as part of extensions or reconfigurations
• Installing new joists, supports or sound insulation into a shared wall or floor between flats

If you are unsure whether your project needs a Section 2 Notice, we can quickly review your drawings and confirm your obligations under the Act.

Section 2 Party Structure Works – Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Section 2 Party Wall Notice?

A Section 2 Party Wall Notice — often called a Party Structure Notice — is a formal notice required under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 when works will directly affect a shared wall, floor or partition between two properties. It formally informs your neighbour of the proposed party structure works and gives them the opportunity to consent or appoint a surveyor.

How much notice do I need to give?

You must serve your Section 2 Party Structure Notice at least two months before starting the proposed works. We recommend serving notice as early as possible to allow sufficient time for surveyor appointments, the Schedule of Condition Survey and agreement of the Party Wall Award.

What happens if my neighbour ignores the Section 2 Notice?

If there is no written response within 14 days, your neighbour is deemed to have dissented under the Act. Surveyors must then be appointed to agree a Party Wall Award before your works can lawfully begin. Our Party Wall dispute resolution service helps ensure this process is handled fairly and efficiently.

Can I serve my own Party Wall Notice?

While you are allowed to serve your own Party Wall Notice, it is easy to make technical mistakes — such as missing information, incorrect descriptions or wrong notice types — which can render the notice invalid. Given the structural importance of Section 2 works, we strongly recommend using a Chartered Party Wall Surveyor to draft and serve the notice correctly from the outset.

Who pays the Party Wall Surveyor’s fees?

The Building Owner — the person carrying out the Section 2 party structure works — typically pays the reasonable Party Wall Surveyor costs, including those of the adjoining owner’s surveyor where separately appointed. For more detail on cost allocation, see our Building Owner Party Wall information and Adjoining Owner Party Wall info .

Book a Party Wall Survey for Party Structure Works in London

Ensure your project is fully compliant with the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 and properly protects both you and your neighbours. Contact Hourican Associates on 020 8050 3232, use our online Party Wall surveyor quote form or get in touch below for a free, no-obligation quotation.

Request a Free Party Wall Quote

Hourican Associates is a Chartered Building Consultancy regulated by RICS, CIOB and MCABE, and a member of the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors (FPWS) and the Pyramus & Thisbe Society. This page provides general guidance only and should not be treated as legal advice.