Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

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Key definition

Party wall definition

What does Party wall mean? In practice, a party wall is a shared wall between neighbouring properties: it either forms part of a building that sits astride the boundary of different owners or separates two buildings in different ownership. It usually carries mutual rights of support and repair obligations, and is central to construction, boundary and neighbour disputes. England and Wales: Defined in the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 (which also covers party fence walls and party structures). The Act controls cutting into, raising, underpinning or demolishing, requires party wall notices to adjoining owners, confers temporary access, and enables surveyors to make a party wall award...

Party wall works in England and Wales: notices, consents, counter-notices, awards, access, repairs, damage, costs and dispute resolution under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996

Published by a LexisNexis Property Disputes expert

Practice notes

This Practice Note addresses common questions that arise when planning works to a Party wall, or when a neighbour proposes works. It considers situations where the adjoining owner consents to your plans, where consent is withheld or no reply is received, and where a neighbour’s wall suffers damage...

Who has responsibility for repairing a party wall?

It is essential to establish where the boundary lies. If the wall stands entirely on one owner’s land, that owner may be liable in nuisance for allowing it to fall into disrepair. See Practice Note: Private nuisance—general principles. In any event, section 2 of the Party Wall etc Act 1996 (PWA 1996) gives the parties various rights concerning repairs, and adjoining owners may be required to contribute to costs. See Practice Note: Party walls—shared costs and security for damage. Also assess the cause of the disrepair. If one party has caused the damage, they may be liable in nuisance, negligence or trespass...

Do I always need to serve a party wall notice?

Almost all works under the PWA 1996 commence with the service of a notice...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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