Removing a chimney breast can involve cutting into or otherwise working on a party wall, which may fall under section 2 of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. The need for notice depends on the exact construction and whether the wall or stack is shared.
What work needs to be described?
A notice should make clear what is being removed, which floor or floors are affected, and what support is proposed where it affects the party structure. “Removing a chimney” on its own might not give an adjoining owner enough information to understand the effect on their property.
Check the structural design first
Get appropriate structural advice about how the remaining chimney, wall or stack will be supported. Party wall legislation and building regulations are separate; compliance with one does not replace the other. A party wall notice is not proof that the structural design is safe.
How early should notice be served?
If section 3 party structure notice is required, it should ordinarily be served at least two months before work starts. Written consent and any statutory dispute procedure need to be handled in accordance with the Act.
What if the neighbour disagrees?
For section 2 work, lack of written consent after 14 days can lead to a deemed dispute and the section 10 surveyor procedure. That is not permission to begin knocking through the wall. Learn more about neighbour responses.
Based on the GOV.UK explanatory booklet and the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. This is general guidance for England and Wales; the applicable rules depend on the actual work and affected owners.
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