Party Wall Surveyors
in London.
Independent, RICS-regulated Party Wall surveyors acting for Building Owners undertaking works and Adjoining Owners protecting their property. Serving notices, agreeing Awards, preparing Schedules of Condition, and resolving disputes under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, across Central London and Greater London.
What is the Party Wall etc. Act 1996?
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is the framework of English law that governs how works affecting a shared wall, boundary or excavation near a neighbouring property must be conducted. It exists to allow Building Owners to undertake reasonable works while ensuring Adjoining Owners are properly notified, consulted, and protected.
It is not optional. If your proposed works fall within the Act, statutory notice must be served, even if you are on excellent terms with your neighbour. The Act provides the structure within which both parties’ interests are recorded and protected for the duration of the works. For a plain-English walkthrough of how the whole process works, see our complete guide to the Party Wall Act.
When do you need a Party Wall Surveyor?
The Act applies to three categories of work. If your project falls into any of them, notice is required, and a surveyor is almost always advisable. If you are uncertain whether your works are notifiable, we will tell you in a single phone call.
Section 1 · Building on the boundary
A new wall on or astride the boundary line, including for an extension or outbuilding.
Section 2 · Works to a party wall
Cutting in to support new works, raising a wall, inserting a beam, removing a chimney breast.
Section 6 · Excavation within 3m or 6m
Most commonly basement works, but also new foundations or significant landscaping near a neighbouring building.
For Building Owners.
You are the Building Owner if you are the party undertaking the works. The Act places obligations on you, but it also protects your right to proceed. We act across the lifecycle of a project, typically beginning before notice is served and continuing through the agreement of the Award and into construction. Our role is to keep your project on schedule while observing the Act.
Pre-notice consultation
A risk review of your scheme and advice on how to engage with neighbours before anything is served.
Statutory notices
Drafted and served correctly, first time, for every Adjoining Owner who must be notified.
Surveyor appointments
Acting as Building Owner’s surveyor, or as Agreed Surveyor for both parties.
The Party Wall Award
Drafted in plain, defensible English, structured so builders, owners and any future surveyor can rely on it.
Schedule of Condition
A photographic record of the Adjoining Owner’s property before works begin.
Damage inspections
During and after the works, with final assessments on completion.
For Adjoining Owners.
You are the Adjoining Owner if your neighbour is undertaking notifiable works. You have been served, or will be served, a notice. Three options exist: consent, dissent and appoint a surveyor, or do nothing, which is treated as deemed dissent after fourteen days.
If you appoint Ekron as your surveyor, our role is straightforward: to ensure the works do not cause damage to your property, and that if any does occur, you are made whole.
We will inspect your property, prepare a detailed Schedule of Condition, agree the Award with the Building Owner’s surveyor, and remain involved throughout the works. We act only in your interests.
The Party Wall process, step by step.
Pre-notice review
We assess your scheme, determine which sections of the Act apply, and identify each Adjoining Owner who must be served.
Service of notice
Statutory notices are drafted and served at least one or two months before works commence, depending on the section.
Adjoining Owner response
Within 14 days, the neighbour consents, dissents and appoints a surveyor, or fails to respond (deemed dissent).
Surveyor appointments
If dissented, surveyors are appointed. They may be jointly agreed (an Agreed Surveyor) or one for each side.
Schedule of Condition
The surveyor(s) inspect the Adjoining Owner’s property and record its current condition with photographs.
Award drafted
The Award sets out exactly what works are permitted, when they may be carried out, working hours, access, and protections.
Works proceed
Construction begins under the terms of the Award. Surveyors may visit during works to monitor compliance.
Final inspection
On completion, condition is compared to the Schedule. Any damage is identified and made good or compensated.
The Party Wall Award.
The Award, sometimes called a Party Wall Agreement, is the legal document that records what has been agreed. It is signed by the appointed surveyor(s) and is binding on both Owners.
A well-drafted Award protects both parties. It states unambiguously what may be done, what cannot be done, and what happens if circumstances change. We draft Awards in plain, defensible English, structured so that builders, owners and any future surveyor can rely on them without ambiguity.
Disputes & Section 10 resolution.
The Act anticipates that surveyors may not always agree. Where they do not, a Third Surveyor, selected at the start of the process, can be called upon to determine the matter. Their decision is final, subject only to a narrow right of appeal to the County Court within 14 days.
In our experience, well-prepared Building Owners and properly advised Adjoining Owners almost never reach Third Surveyor stage. Disputes generally arise from poor communication early in the process, something a competent surveyor exists precisely to prevent.
The Act is procedural, not adversarial. Used properly, it is the mechanism by which good neighbours stay good neighbours through significant building works.
Frequently asked.
How long does the Party Wall process take?
Typically 6 to 8 weeks from notice to Award for straightforward schemes. Basement works or multiple Adjoining Owners can extend this to 10 to 14 weeks. Plan accordingly.
Can I serve the notice myself?
Yes. The Act does not require a surveyor to serve notice. However, defective notices are common, are routinely challenged, and frequently delay projects. Having notice drafted and served correctly avoids the delays and challenges that getting it wrong routinely causes.
What if my neighbour ignores the notice?
After 14 days of silence, the Act treats this as a deemed dissent. A surveyor is appointed on the Adjoining Owner’s behalf, typically by the Building Owner’s surveyor or a third party, and the process proceeds.
Can I start work without a Party Wall Agreement?
If your works fall within the Act, no. Commencing notifiable works without an Award exposes you to injunction by the Adjoining Owner, which can stop your project mid-build, and unlimited liability for any damage caused. We strongly advise against it.
What is an Agreed Surveyor?
Where both Owners trust the same independent surveyor, that surveyor can act for both, an “Agreed Surveyor”. This is generally faster and cheaper than appointing two surveyors. We act as Agreed Surveyor regularly.
Other services our clients ask for.
For Building Owners
You are the Building Owner if you are the party undertaking notifiable works under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. The Act…
Learn more →For Adjoining Owners
You are the Adjoining Owner if your neighbour is undertaking notifiable works under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. You have rights,…
Learn more →Schedule of Condition
A photographic and written record of a property’s condition at a defined point in time, prepared by an RICS Chartered Surveyor. Used…
Learn more →A clear position on your party wall matter, in 24 hours.
Tell us where you stand, Building Owner or Adjoining Owner, served or about to serve, and we will reply the same working day with practical next steps.