Most people find the thought of coping with party wall issues a daunting prospect. The Party Wall Etc Act has many connotations, so it is no surprise a large number of people have difficulties with it.

Things can become even more convoluted in major cities like London, that have many period properties and buildings in close proximity to each other. It is vital that these issues are dealt with properly.

Explaining the Party Wall etc Act 1996

The Act provides rights and responsibilities whichever side of the 'wall' you are on. For the party carrying out the work the Act provides for rights not afforded by common law, such as for example access onto the neighbours land to handle some or each of the proposed works, or provide temporary works (e.g. scaffolding) during the works.

You should understand the Act whether it is you or your neighbour who proposes to handle focus on shared or close by structures. The Act covers focus on structures such as shared walls, floors/ceilings of flats, garden walls, and excavations near a neighbouring property.

The overall principle of the Act is that all work which might have an impact upon the structural strength or support function of a party wall or might cause harm to the neighbouring side of the wall should be notified.

Some of work included in the Act is the following:

Demolishing and/or rebuilding a celebration wall.
Increasing the height or thickness of a PW
Cutting into the PW to take load bearing beams.
Underpinning a PW.
Excavations within 3 metres of a neighbouring building where the excavation will go below the bottom of the foundations of the neighbouring building.
Excavations within 6 metres of a neighbouring building where the excavation will go below a line drawn 45� downwards from underneath of the foundations of the neighbouring building.

Work that is not covered by the Act includes putting up shelves and wall units, replastering and electrical rewiring.

If your planned focus on an existing structure falls beneath the Act, you need to then issue a notice to all or any affected neighbouring parties. The neighbouring parties must then decide whether they desire to dispute the notice or not.


As with Visit this page affecting neighbours, it is usually better to reach an agreeable agreement. Even where in fact the work requires a notice to be served, it is best to informally discuss the intended work, think about the neighbours comments, and when practical amend your plans accordingly.