The government’s explanatory booklet includes example letters for each notice type and for the neighbour’s reply. The templates below follow the same structure, with the content required by the Act built in and the practical extras that experience shows reduce disputes. Replace everything in [square brackets].
Before you use a template
- Identify the right section. Work to an existing party wall or party fence wall is section 2/3. A new wall on the boundary is section 1. Excavating near a neighbour’s building is section 6. Many projects need more than one.
- Identify every owner. Use HM Land Registry title registers for your own property and each neighbour’s. Name all joint owners. Freeholders and leaseholders of more than a year are owners (section 20).
- Set a lawful start date. Count from the day of service: at least two months for section 3 (s.3(2)(a)), one month for sections 1 and 6.
- Serve correctly under section 15: by hand, by post, or by email only where the neighbour has agreed in advance. See serving notice yourself.
Template 1: Party structure notice (section 3)
Use for any right under section 2, such as cutting into a party wall for a beam, removing a chimney breast, raising or underpinning a party wall, or demolishing and rebuilding it.
PARTY WALL etc. ACT 1996: PARTY STRUCTURE NOTICE (Section 3)
To: [full name(s) of every adjoining owner]
of: [adjoining owner’s address]
Adjoining property: [address of the adjoining property]
I/We [full name(s) of every building owner] of [building owner’s address], as owner(s) of [address of the building owner’s property], which adjoins your property, HEREBY SERVE YOU WITH NOTICE under section 3 of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 that, in exercise of the rights conferred by section 2(2) [insert paragraph(s), e.g. (a), (f), (g)] of the Act, I/we intend to carry out the following works to the party wall / party structure / party fence wall [delete as appropriate] separating our properties:
[Clear description of each item of work, e.g. “(1) Cut into the party wall to insert a steel beam bearing on a concrete padstone at first-floor level, as shown on engineer’s drawing ref. [ ]. (2) Cut away the projecting chimney breast at ground-floor level in the rear reception room.”]
[If special foundations are proposed: “It is proposed to construct special foundations. Plans, sections and details of construction, with reasonable particulars of the loads to be carried, are attached.”]
Drawings attached: [list drawing numbers, or “none”].
It is intended that the works will begin on or after [date, at least two months after service] or earlier with your written agreement.
If you do not consent in writing within 14 days of service of this notice, a dispute will be deemed to have arisen under section 5 of the Act. In that event I/we propose that [name, qualifications, firm and address of surveyor] act as Agreed Surveyor, or you may appoint your own surveyor under section 10(1)(b).
A reply form is enclosed. Further information: GOV.UK, “The Party Wall etc. Act 1996: explanatory booklet”.
Signed: ______________________ [all building owners, or an authorised agent on their behalf]
Date: [date of notice]
Template 2: Notice of adjacent excavation (section 6)
Use where you will excavate within 3 m of the neighbour’s building or structure and below their foundations (s.6(1)), or within 6 m where the excavation cuts a 45° line from their foundations (s.6(2)).
PARTY WALL etc. ACT 1996: NOTICE OF ADJACENT EXCAVATION (Section 6)
To: [full name(s) of every adjoining owner] of [address]
Adjoining property: [address]
I/We [full name(s) of every building owner] of [address], as owner(s) of [address of property], HEREBY SERVE YOU WITH NOTICE under section 6 of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 that I/we intend to excavate, or excavate for and erect a building or structure, within [three / six] metres of your building or structure, to a depth which [will extend below the level of the bottom of your foundations / will meet a plane drawn downwards at 45 degrees from the bottom of your foundations] [delete as appropriate].
The proposed works are: [description, e.g. “excavation for strip foundations for a single-storey rear extension to a depth of approximately [ ] m below ground level”].
The accompanying plans and sections numbered [ ] show the site and depth of the proposed excavation and the site of the proposed building or structure.
It [is / is not] proposed to underpin or otherwise strengthen or safeguard the foundations of your building or structure. [If it is, describe how.]
It is intended that the works will begin on or after [date, at least one month after service] or earlier with your written agreement.
If you do not consent in writing within 14 days of service, a dispute will be deemed to have arisen under section 6(7). In that event I/we propose [surveyor details] as Agreed Surveyor, or you may appoint your own surveyor.
Signed: ______________________
Date: [ ]
Template 3: Line of junction notice (section 1)
PARTY WALL etc. ACT 1996: LINE OF JUNCTION NOTICE (Section 1)
To: [adjoining owner(s)] of [address]
I/We [building owner(s)] of [address], as owner(s) of [address], HEREBY SERVE YOU WITH NOTICE under section 1[(2) / (5)] of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 that I/we intend to build on the line of junction between our properties a [party wall / party fence wall astride the line of junction (s.1(2)) / wall placed wholly on my/our own land (s.1(5))], described as follows: [description, length, height, materials, foundation type; attach drawing].
[For s.1(5) only, if relevant: “It is proposed to place projecting footings and foundations below the level of your land as necessary for the construction of the wall, as permitted by section 1(6).” Note: reinforced (special) foundations need your separate written consent under section 7(4).]
It is intended that the works will begin on or after [date, at least one month after service].
[For s.1(2) only: “Please indicate within 14 days whether you consent to the wall being built astride the line of junction. If you do not consent, I/we may build the wall wholly on my/our own land at my/our own expense (section 1(4)).”]
Signed: ______________________
Date: [ ]
Template 4: Adjoining owner’s reply form
Enclose this with every notice. It makes it easy for the neighbour to respond within 14 days and reduces deemed disputes caused simply by silence.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF NOTICE: PARTY WALL etc. ACT 1996
I/We [adjoining owner(s)] of [address] acknowledge receipt of the notice dated [ ] served by [building owner(s)] under section [ ] of the Act, and (tick one):
☐ Consent to the works described in the notice.
☐ Consent to the works, on condition that a Schedule of Condition of my/our property is prepared before work starts and a copy given to me/us.
☐ Dissent and concur in the appointment of [the proposed surveyor] as Agreed Surveyor.
☐ Dissent and appoint [name, qualifications and address of surveyor] as my/our surveyor.
Signed: ______________________ [all adjoining owners]
Date: [ ]
The consent-with-schedule option reflects Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors guidance on the options open to a neighbour and is, in our experience, the most popular choice for straightforward works. See consent, schedule or dissent.
What each notice must contain
| Notice | Required content | Minimum period | Booklet example |
|---|---|---|---|
| s.3 party structure notice | Name and address of building owner; nature and particulars of works; details of any special foundations; start date (s.3(1)) | Two months | Letter 1 (replies 2 and 3) |
| s.1(2) wall astride the line | Desire to build; description of the wall | One month | Letter 4 (reply 5) |
| s.1(5) wall wholly on own land | Desire to build; description of the wall | One month | Letter 6 (reply 7) |
| s.6 excavation | Proposals; whether underpinning is proposed; plans and sections of site and depth (s.6(5), (6)) | One month | Letter 8 (replies 9 and 10) |
Common template mistakes
- Leaving the start date earlier than the notice period allows.
- Naming only one owner on either side.
- Describing the whole project (“loft conversion”) rather than the specific party wall works.
- Omitting plans and sections from a section 6 notice.
- Combining several sections in one document without the content each requires. Separate notices are clearer.
- Not signing, or signing for joint owners without authority.
Worked example (illustrative)
Illustrative only. Not a real case.
Owners of a terrace house plan a rear extension and a loft conversion. They prepare: a section 3 notice to each neighbour for cutting into the party walls for loft steels and raising the party wall; and a section 6 notice to the neighbour on the extension side, because the extension foundations are within 3 m and deeper than that neighbour’s footings, with the engineer’s plan and section attached. Each notice encloses the reply form. The section 3 start date is set two months and a few days after the planned hand-delivery date, giving a margin for error.
Prefer it done for you?
We prepare and serve notices on all your neighbours for £150 + VAT, checking ownership and the sections that apply. Our sister service partywall-notices.co.uk also prepares notices.
Sources and further reading
- Party Wall etc. Act 1996, section 1: New building on line of junction (legislation.gov.uk)
- Party Wall etc. Act 1996, section 2: Repair etc. of party wall: rights of owner (legislation.gov.uk)
- Party Wall etc. Act 1996, section 3: Party structure notices (legislation.gov.uk)
- Party Wall etc. Act 1996, section 5: Disputes arising under sections 3 and 4 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Party Wall etc. Act 1996, section 6: Adjacent excavation and construction (legislation.gov.uk)
- Party Wall etc. Act 1996, section 7: Compensation etc. (legislation.gov.uk)
- Party Wall etc. Act 1996, section 10: Resolution of disputes (legislation.gov.uk)
- Party Wall etc. Act 1996, section 15: Service of notices etc. (legislation.gov.uk)
- Party Wall etc. Act 1996, section 20: Interpretation (legislation.gov.uk)
- The Party Wall etc. Act 1996: explanatory booklet (GOV.UK)
This guide is general information on the law in England and Wales, written from our surveyors’ practical experience. It is not legal advice; for a specific dispute, take advice on your own facts.
- Party wall notices for building owners
- Fixed fees: party wall agreement cost
- Do I need a party wall agreement? (1-minute check)
Areas we cover include Party Wall Agreement Surrey · Party Wall Agreement Sussex · Party Wall Agreement Birmingham and more.
Sources: Party Wall etc. Act 1996 (legislation.gov.uk) · The Party Wall etc. Act 1996: explanatory booklet (GOV.UK). Last reviewed 27 October 2026. General guidance on the law in England and Wales, not legal advice.