Party wall notice checklist

Before you send a party wall notice, use this checklist to catch the mistakes that are easiest to make: serving the wrong type, missing a joint owner, leaving out required technical drawings or assuming silence means consent. A notice is part of a statutory process, so a polished PDF alone is not enough.

1. Identify the work—not just the project name

“Rear extension” and “loft conversion” are project descriptions, not statutory notice categories. List exactly what the builders intend to do: cut into an existing party wall, build a new wall at the boundary, or excavate foundations near a neighbouring building. A project may require more than one type of notice, or none for some parts of the work.

• Section 3 party structure notice: certain works to an existing shared wall or party structure.
• Section 1 line-of-junction notice: a new wall at the boundary.
• Section 6 excavation notice: qualifying excavations within three or six metres of neighbouring structures.

2. Confirm who owns the adjoining property

Get the correct adjoining owners' details. The person occupying the neighbouring house might be a tenant rather than the owner, and flats can involve more than one relevant ownership interest. Where a property is jointly owned, check how each owner should be addressed and whether all necessary parties receive the notice.

3. Check notice periods and intended dates

For party structure notices, the ordinary notice period is two months. For section 1 line-of-junction notices and qualifying section 6 excavation notices, it is ordinarily one month. These are notice periods rather than automatic permissions to begin. A dispute and the neighbour's written response may affect when work can properly proceed.

4. Include enough detail about the work

Describe what is proposed and where it will happen. Do not rely on a broad phrase such as “house renovation” where structural work needs explaining. Include the date, building owner details, property addresses and the planned start. Technical plans may be mandatory for certain works, particularly under section 6 and where special foundations are proposed under section 3.

5. Review the right official example

Compare your draft against the appropriate free GOV.UK example notice. These examples cover party structure, line of junction and excavation notices, as well as positive and negative acknowledgement letters. The best official example depends on the legal notice type, not the trade doing the work.

6. Serve it using an appropriate method

The government guidance describes personal delivery, post and email where the intended recipient has confirmed willingness to receive the relevant documents electronically and provided an address. Do not simply send an email and assume it constitutes valid service. Keep the dated letter, attachments and evidence of how and when it was served.

7. Plan for the neighbour's response

Explain what the neighbour needs to do and provide an appropriate acknowledgement. Under the Act, the 14-day response provisions for particular notice types must be respected. If consent is not given and a dispute arises, the next step may involve appointment of a surveyor rather than starting work regardless.

8. Keep a project record

Store a copy of the notice and attachments, proof of service, all written consents or objections, correspondence, and any eventual award. If plans change substantially, check whether the original notice still covers the proposed work.

For more detail, see templates, how to serve and timing and deadlines.