WALLS UP TO, ON OR ACROSS THE BOUNDARY NEED CONSENT

Here's a step-by-step guide for building owners to facilitate a smooth consent process for walls up to, on or across the boundary.

Understand your project and the act early

Early assessment: Does your project involves building a new wall on the boundary line*, or  building a new wall across the boundary?
*Also known as a wall up to the line of junction.
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Know the legal requirements: If either of the above apply, the Act requires you to notify your neighbour at least one month before starting the work by serving a Line of Junction Notice under the Party Wall Act. This notice must include details about the proposed work. Drawings can also be helpful.

Communicate early and effectively

Start informal discussions: Before serving a formal notice, have a friendly conversation with your neighbour. Explain your project and its benefits. Early transparency can help build trust and smooth the formal process later.
Provide visual aids: Share drawings, plans, and other visual aids to help your neighbour understand the project’s scope and impact.

Serve the party wall notice

Prepare the notice: Clearly describe the proposed work. Include the date you intend to start. Provide your contact details and an invitation to discuss any concerns.
Delivery methods: Notice should be served at least 1 month before your intended start date. Serve the notice in person by handing it to someone at the address, via post (keeping a certificate of postage), or email (if agreed upon). Keep a record of how and when the notice was served.

Wait for a response

Response timeframe: Invite your neighbours to respond within 14 days of the date of service. 

​They can:
Consent: Agree to the proposed work. 
Dissent: Disagree, leading to a structured dispute resolution process.

​Address concerns and amend plans if needed

Be open to feedback: Your neighbour might have valid concerns or suggestions. Consider reasonable adjustments to your plans to address these ideally in return for consent.
Offer assurances: Highlight measures you will take to minimise disruption and ensure safety.

Follow up and formalise consent

Written consent: Ideally you will want to obtain written consent. This is helpful for your records and for legal protection.
Dispute resolution: If they dissent, you will need to appoint surveyor(s) to prepare a Party Wall Award.

Appoint surveyors if necessary

Agreed surveyor: Propose a single surveyor agreed upon by both parties to save time and, of course, costs. A good party wall surveyor, acting as the agreed surveyor, can help ensure neighbourly relations remain positive and can, in some cases, improve fractured relations through open dialogue.
Separate surveyors: If preferred, each party can appoint their own surveyor. This will increase costs but in practice, often has no (useful) effect on the outcome.

​Obtain the party wall award

Surveyor’s role: the surveyor(s) will prepare a Party Wall Award outlining the work, timescales, and any conditions. It also specifies who pays for what.
Follow the award: Adhere to the award conditions to avoid creating new disputes to help ensure neighbourly relations are not damaged.

​Commence work

Notify neighbours: Inform your neighbour of the start date once all consents are/the award is in place.
Regular updates: Keep your neighbour updated on the project's progress, especially if there are any changes to the timeline or scope.

Maintain good relations throughout

Respect boundaries: Literally and figuratively! positioning of your structure, and be mindful of noise, dust, and access.
Respond to concerns: Quickly address any issues your neighbour raises during construction.