If you're about to embark on a building project — or you've just received a Party Wall Notice from next door — one of the first questions you'll likely ask is: who actually pays for all of this?

If you're planning a rear extension to your home, you've probably got a lot on your plate — architects, planning permission, builders, budgets.

You've done everything right. You served your Party Wall Notice in good time, kept it professional, and waited patiently. But the deadline has passed and your neighbour hasn't responded. So what happens now – and can your project still go ahead?

One of the most common questions homeowners ask us when planning a building project is: “Can I serve a party wall notice myself?” The answer is yes—you certainly can.

There are several types of party wall, depending on the context of the property/properties.

A Schedule of Condition plays a crucial role in the party wall process, serving as a detailed record of the condition of a property before any adjacent construction or renovation work begins.

The action which triggers the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is the obligation for property owners to serve notice to their neighbours before undertaking certain construction works.

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996, is an important piece of legislation in construction and property ownership, it was enacted with the goal of preventing disputes and conflicts between neighbours when one (or both) intend to carry out construction work that may impact a shared wall.