Party Wall Agreement Template

A party wall agreement is the outcome you need before carrying out building works near a shared wall or boundary. Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, you get a party wall agreement in one of two ways: (1) you serve a party wall notice on your neighbour, they sign the consent letter, and that signed notice and consent letter together form your agreement — the most common outcome; (2) if your neighbour disputes the works, both sides appoint surveyors who produce a formal Party Wall Award. BoundaryFinder generates the notice and consent letter so your neighbour can sign and complete the agreement quickly.

Yes. Under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, you must serve a written notice on all adjoining owners before carrying out any work that affects a shared (party) wall, involves building on or near a boundary, or requires excavating within 3–6 metres of a neighbouring building. Failure to do so can result in an injunction stopping your work, and any work already done may need to be undone at your cost.

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 provides three notice types: (1) Party Structure Notice — for works to an existing shared wall, such as extensions, conversions, or underpinning; (2) Line of Junction Notice — for building a new wall on or at the boundary line; (3) Excavation Notice — for digging within 3 metres of a neighbouring structure to a depth below their foundations, or within 6 metres under the 45-degree rule. BoundaryFinder covers all three.

A Party Structure Notice must be served at least two months before work begins. A Line of Junction Notice and an Excavation Notice each require one month's notice. Work cannot begin until the notice period has expired and the adjoining owner has either consented in writing or surveyors have been appointed to produce a Party Wall Award.

A party wall notice is the written document you serve on your neighbour — it is the first step. A party wall agreement (also called a Party Wall Award) is the end result: either your neighbour signs the consent letter (most common outcome), or appointed surveyors produce a formal award if your neighbour disputes. BoundaryFinder generates the notice and consent letter for the simpler, consent-based route.

If your neighbour does not respond within 14 days of service, a dispute is deemed to have arisen under the Act. Both parties must then appoint surveyors (or agree on a single 'agreed surveyor') to draw up a Party Wall Award. This process adds cost and delay — typically £1,000–£3,000 in surveyor fees. Serving a clear, correctly drafted notice with a consent letter minimises the chance of a dispute.

A solicitor typically charges £200–£500 to draft a party wall notice, and a party wall surveyor bills £150–£300 per hour. If your neighbour disputes and appointed surveyors are needed, total costs can reach £1,000–£3,000. BoundaryFinder generates the party wall notice and consent letter for a one-off fee of £14.95. Most neighbours consent without a dispute, so this is all most homeowners ever need.

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 does not prescribe a mandatory form, but the notice must contain specific information: the building owner's name and address, the adjoining owner's name and address, a description of the proposed works, the planned start date, and a statement that it is served under the Act. BoundaryFinder produces notices that meet all legal requirements and can be served on up to five adjoining owners.