Tips for Building on a Party Wall

Notice

• Provide a notice of your intent to adjoining property owners at least two months before you plan to start work on the party wall. It is common practice to let your neighbors know of your plans before posting a formal notice to them. The notice should include your name and address, the address of the building you plan to work on, the details of the proposed work and a start date for the project. The formal notice is valid for one year.

Projects

• Be considerate of your neighbors when you plan work on a party wall. The Party Wall Act of 1996 prohibits cutting into the wall, even if only on your side, before you reach an agreement with adjoining property owners. Other projects that require notice are adding to the thickness or height of the wall, demolishing or rebuilding any part of the wall, and removing any projections from the wall.

Minor Work

• If your plans are minor, the Party Wall Act does not require notice. Such plans include drilling into a party wall to repair plugs and screws for wall units or shelving, cutting into the wall to add or replace electrical wiring and sockets, and performing cosmetic repairs to the surface of the wall. Consider whether your work will affect the structure of the party wall or cause damage, even temporary, to the adjoining property owner's side of the wall. When in doubt, it is best to discuss your plans with a building professional.

Disputes

• If your neighbor disputes the planned work, appoint a surveyor to consider the rights of both parties and issue a decision. Another option is for both parties to appoint a surveyor to make a decision. If the two appointed surveyors cannot reach an agreement, they will appoint a third surveyor to consider the interests of both parties and issue a decision.

Payment

• The Party Wall Act states that the property owner initiating the work pays for it. However, if both property owners will benefit from the work, they may split the cost. This includes work that will repair major structural damage. Your neighbor might also cover part of the cost when he is responsible for all or part of the damage.