What is the Party Wall etc. Act 1996?
The Act came into force on 1st July 1997 throughout England and Wales. It provides a framework for preventing and resolving disputes in relation to party structures. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies to:
- Work on an existing wall shared with another property
- Building a free standing wall or a wall of a building up to or astride the boundary with a neighbouring property
- Excavating near a neighbouring building (within 6m if deep foundations).
(A party structure can be a wall or floor that divides two properties in different ownerships.)
The act is not administered or enforced by the Local Authority. You may need to seek private, professional advice from a specialist Party Wall surveyor.
If a dispute cannot be avoided the matter can ultimately only be resolved by Civil Action being taken.
View the The Party Wall etc Act 1996: explanatory booklet aimed mainly at householders and small businesses.