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Party Wall Notices: When Your Neighbour Builds Next Door
If your neighbour plans work covered by the party wall rules, they must give you notice between 2 months and a year before the work starts. Any agreement you reach should be in writing. GOV.UK sets out what work you must be told about, how to reach agreement, and what happens if you cannot agree.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Notice Rules
When
Notice must be given to the neighbour between 2 months and a year before the planned building works start. Any agreement reached should be in writing. The party wall explanatory booklet gives more detail. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 2 monthsMinimum noticeBefore work starts
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Check whether the work is covered by the party wall rules.
Step 2 of 5
Reply to any notice in writing.
Step 3 of 5
Ask questions before you agree.
Step 4 of 5
If you cannot agree, follow the GOV.UK steps for disputes.
Step 5 of 5
Photograph your wall before work starts.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Party Walls and Building Work (GOV.UK)
Official guide.
Your Local Council
Housing or environmental health team. It can act on landlord breaches.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Different rules apply in Scotland.
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If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 15 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/party-walls-building-works/when-how-tell-them Checked 15 October 2026