The Party Wall Act is a law in the UK that deals with shared walls between neighbouring properties. 

Imagine you live in a row of terraced houses. The shared wall(s) between 2 properties are called party walls. The Party Wall Act is like a rulebook for what you and your neighbour can and can’t do with these walls.

If you want to do any work that could affect the party wall, like building an extension or doing major renovations, you have to let your neighbour know. Neighbours can not prevent works taking place. Awards put in place an agreement of what will happen, when and records the condition of the property before works commenced.

If you are planning to build within 3 or 6m of a boundary you may also need to serve a party way notice on your neighbours.

The Act helps prevent disputes by setting out procedures for how to handle disagreements between neighbours about the work. Additionally, it also ensures that both parties are treated fairly and that the work is done safely. However, if there is a dispute a Party Wall Surveyor can be engaged to draw up a formal award.

In simple terms, the Party Wall Act is a set of rules to help you and your neighbours work together to make sure any changes or building work is done properly and without causing problems.

Party Wall Awards needs to be carried out after planning permission has been granted and structural drawings are completed.

Further details, along with the procedures to follow can be found here.