Why the Party Wall Act Matters – Protecting Your Project and Your Neighbour
posted 14th November 2025
Understanding the Party Wall Act
If you’re planning a loft conversion, rear extension, or basement excavation, you may have been told you need to follow the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
For many homeowners, it can sound like an administrative hurdle — but it’s actually one of the most important pieces of legislation protecting your property and your relationship with your neighbour.
At Tayross Associates, our Party Wall Surveyors in London regularly help building owners and adjoining owners navigate the process with minimal disruption.
1. It Protects Both Homeowners
The Party Wall Act is designed to protect both the building owner and the adjoining owner.
For the person carrying out works, it provides the legal right to work on or near a shared structure. For the neighbour, it ensures their property is surveyed, recorded, and protected before any construction starts.
This dual protection avoids confusion and ensures that any later damage can be handled fairly and professionally.
2. It Prevents Costly Neighbour Disputes
Neighbour disputes can become expensive, emotional, and time-consuming.
By following the correct Party Wall procedure — serving a Party Wall Notice, agreeing a Party Wall Award, and completing a Schedule of Condition — both parties have an official record of the works and the existing property condition.
This makes it much easier to resolve any issues that may arise during or after the works.
3. It Keeps Projects on Schedule
One of the biggest causes of delay in residential construction is late Party Wall action.
Homeowners often only discover the need for Party Wall notices just before the builders are due to start. By getting Party Wall advice early, you can ensure that notices are served correctly and any surveyor involvement is completed before work begins — keeping your project on track.
4. It Ensures Professional Oversight
A Party Wall Surveyor acts as an impartial expert, even when appointed by one side.
At Tayross Associates, we prepare detailed Schedules of Condition, review construction drawings, and monitor works where necessary — ensuring that both sides are treated fairly and that the project complies fully with the Act.
5. It’s a Legal Requirement
Compliance with the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 isn’t optional.
Starting work without serving the appropriate Party Wall Notice can lead to injunctions, legal disputes, and costly delays. In the worst cases, work can be halted completely until the issue is resolved.
Following the process correctly from the start is always the safest and most cost-effective route.
Why Choose Tayross Associates
At Tayross Associates, we are Chartered Building Surveyors based in London specialising in Party Wall matters, building surveys, and dilapidation reports.
We handle every stage of the Party Wall process, from serving notices and preparing Awards to recording detailed Schedules of Condition. Our approach is clear, professional, and designed to protect both you and your neighbour — allowing your project to move forward with confidence.
Contact Our London Party Wall Surveyors
If you’re planning building works that may affect a shared wall or boundary, speak to us today for professional Party Wall advice.
📞 079 7682 0628
📧 Carl@tayross.com
🏢 Tayross Associates, 2nd Floor, Monument House, 215 Marsh Road, Pinner, Middlesex, HA5 5NE
