What is a Party Wall Agreement?

A Party Wall Agreement or as it is normally known, Party Wall Award, is the document produced by the party wall surveyor(s) acting for the respective owners.

A Party Wall Award will typically consist of 3 parts.

  • The award which sets out the work that will be carried out, how and when such work may be carried out (working hours), rights of access and any additional works required.
  • A schedule of condition of the adjoining property with supporting photographs
  • A method statement and/or details of the proposed works, including copies of drawings etc.

Normally a standard document the Party Wall Award will detail the owners and the property addresses. along with details of the two surveyors (or agreed surveyor) and the Third Surveyor if applicable.

Other items covered by the Award may include confirmation that the necessary public liability insurance is in place, any time limit for the work and the fees of the adjoining Party Wall Surveyor (if applicable)

The Award is signed and witnessed and copies sent to both owners with an additional copy being passed on to the builder or contractor.

Under section 10(17) of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 either party may within 14 days appeal to the county court if they feel the award has been made improperly. In practice, this very rarely happens.