Party walls and boundaries
Work on a shared wall, or digging near a neighbour's foundations, usually needs notice under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Give at least two months' notice for work on a party wall, and one month for excavations near a neighbour's foundations or building on the boundary line.
If your neighbour doesn't agree in writing within 14 days, a dispute arises and surveyors are appointed (usually at the building owner's cost).
Title plans show general boundaries only, not exact lines. Boundary disputes are best settled early and in writing.
What to check
- Does your work involve a shared wall or nearby digging?
- Serve notice in good time
- Photograph the neighbour's side before work starts
Who can help
A party wall surveyor; a solicitor for boundary disputes.
Official sources
Checked 5 November 2026. General information for England and Wales, not legal advice.