PWParty Wall Knowledge Base
Illustrated series

Party Wall Common Misunderstandings

Thirty-one illustrated answers to the questions and assumptions that most often cause avoidable party wall problems.

Illustrated page: What's the difference between a party wall and a boundary wall?01What's the difference between a party wall and a boundary wall?Illustrated page: Do all extensions require notice to be served?02Do all extensions require notice to be served?Illustrated page: My house is detached, so I don't need to serve notice03My house is detached, so I don't need to serve noticeIllustrated page: How close do I have to dig before I need a Party Wall Notice?04How close do I have to dig before I need a Party Wall Notice?Illustrated page: Do I need a Party Wall Notice for a loft conversion?05Do I need a Party Wall Notice for a loft conversion?Illustrated page: Do I need a notice for minor internal-only work?06Do I need a notice for minor internal-only work?Illustrated page: Does the Act cover a brand-new boundary wall?07Does the Act cover a brand-new boundary wall?Illustrated page: Can I build a boundary wall half on my neighbour's land?08Can I build a boundary wall half on my neighbour's land?Illustrated page: Does the Act cover garden walls?09Does the Act cover garden walls?Illustrated page: I have planning permission - do I still need a Party Wall Notice?10I have planning permission - do I still need a Party Wall Notice?Illustrated page: Can I put special foundations under my neighbour's land?11Can I put special foundations under my neighbour's land?Illustrated page: Can I serve a Party Wall Notice by email?12Can I serve a Party Wall Notice by email?Illustrated page: How long does a Party Wall Notice last?13How long does a Party Wall Notice last?Illustrated page: What happens if I start work without serving notice?14What happens if I start work without serving notice?Illustrated page: Can my neighbour ask for security for expenses?15Can my neighbour ask for security for expenses?Illustrated page: Can my neighbour serve a counter-notice?16Can my neighbour serve a counter-notice?Illustrated page: Will a Party Wall Award stop my build?17Will a Party Wall Award stop my build?Illustrated page: Who pays for damage caused by Party Wall works?18Who pays for damage caused by Party Wall works?Illustrated page: Can my neighbour refuse access for Party Wall works?19Can my neighbour refuse access for Party Wall works?Illustrated page: Can my neighbour stop my extension?20Can my neighbour stop my extension?Illustrated page: Does serving a Party Wall Notice cost anything?21Does serving a Party Wall Notice cost anything?Illustrated page: Do I need a surveyor if my neighbour agrees to the work?22Do I need a surveyor if my neighbour agrees to the work?Illustrated page: Is a verbal agreement with my neighbour enough?23Is a verbal agreement with my neighbour enough?Illustrated page: What if my neighbour just ignores my notice?24What if my neighbour just ignores my notice?Illustrated page: Does the Party Wall Act override every other legal right?25Does the Party Wall Act override every other legal right?Illustrated page: Do I still need to serve notice if I'm using the same builder my neighbour used?26Do I still need to serve notice if I'm using the same builder my neighbour used?Illustrated page: Does a Party Wall Surveyor work for whoever pays them?27Does a Party Wall Surveyor work for whoever pays them?Illustrated page: Can I serve a Party Wall Notice after work has started?28Can I serve a Party Wall Notice after work has started?Illustrated page: Does the Party Wall Act only apply to terraced or semi-detached houses?29Does the Party Wall Act only apply to terraced or semi-detached houses?Illustrated page: Is an award automatically binding once both surveyors agree?30Is an award automatically binding once both surveyors agree?Illustrated page: Does planning permission mean I don't need a Party Wall Notice too?31Does planning permission mean I don't need a Party Wall Notice too?