What we do
Party Walls
Protect your development and your neighbour’s property with our experienced party wall experts.
Party Walls/Access Arrangements
Party Wall Matters
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 provides a legal framework for carrying out certain works affecting shared walls, boundary structures and excavations near neighbouring buildings. Correctly identifying where the Act applies and implementing the appropriate procedures is essential to reducing programme risk and avoiding unnecessary disputes.
Our services include:
- Party Wall Appraisals and Due Diligence
- Preparation and service of statutory Notices
- Acting as Building Owner’s Surveyor
- Acting as Adjoining Owner’s Surveyor
- Acting as Agreed Surveyor
- Preparation and negotiation of Party Wall Awards
- Schedules of Condition
- Advice throughout demolition and construction phases
- Resolution of disputes arising under the Act
Our consultants work proactively alongside project teams to ensure Party Wall considerations are integrated into the wider development programme, helping clients avoid delays while maintaining positive relationships with neighbouring owners.
Access Arrangements & Neighbourly Matters
Many developments require temporary rights over neighbouring land to facilitate construction. These may include access licences, crane oversail agreements, scaffolding licences, hoarding licences, and other third-party consents.
Rapleys advises on a broad range of neighbourly matters, including:
- Crane oversail licences
- Scaffolding and access licences
- Hoarding licences
- Temporary works agreements
- Boundary reviews
- Historic title and easement reviews
- Third-party appraisals
- Neighbourly strategy advice
By identifying potential constraints early, our team helps clients develop practical strategies that minimise legal risk and support efficient project delivery.
Our specialists work closely with architects, structural engineers, legal advisers, project managers and contractors to ensure neighbourly matters are considered alongside design development and construction planning. This integrated approach enables issues to be identified and resolved before they impact programme or viability.
Whether advising on a single residential development or a nationally significant regeneration scheme, Rapleys delivers commercially focused advice that protects our clients’ interests while fostering constructive relationships with adjoining owners.
FAQs
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 provides a legal framework for carrying out certain types of building work that affect shared walls, boundaries or neighbouring properties in England and Wales. The Act commonly applies to works such as extensions, loft conversions, basement excavations and alterations to party walls. If your project falls within the scope of the Act, you’ll usually need to serve a Party Wall Notice before work begins.
A Party Wall Notice is a formal written notification served on adjoining owners before carrying out certain types of work covered by the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. It explains the proposed works and gives neighbours the opportunity to consent or dissent. Serving the correct notice within the required timescales is an important legal step and helps avoid unnecessary delays to your project.
If an adjoining owner dissents to a Party Wall Notice or does not respond within the statutory timeframe, a dispute is deemed to have arisen under the Act. This does not necessarily mean there is a disagreement about the works themselves. Instead, Party Wall Surveyors are appointed to prepare a Party Wall Award, which sets out how the work will be carried out while protecting both properties and reducing the risk of disputes.
Rapleys experienced team acts for building owners, adjoining owners or as an agreed surveyor. We guide clients through every stage of the Party Wall process, our services include:
- Party Wall Appraisals and Due Diligence
- Preparation and service of statutory Notices
- Acting as Building Owner’s Surveyor
- Acting as Adjoining Owner’s Surveyor
- Acting as Agreed Surveyor
- Preparation and negotiation of Party Wall Awards
- Schedules of Condition
- Advice throughout demolition and construction phases
- Resolution of disputes arising under the Act
Our practical, professional advice helps keep projects compliant, minimise delays and provide confidence for everyone involved.
Get in touch
Key contacts
Gain national and local expertise through our multidisciplinary teams of experts.
Our track record
71 Park Street, Bristol
Expert advice to enable the redevelopment of an end of terrace property to deliver student accommodation
Cross Farm, Wedmore
Party Wall advice to support the redevelopment of a former farm into much needed homes
Fallowfield Retail Park, Manchester
Provision of invaluable Party Wall advice to enable the construction of a new retail unit
Pocket Living
Snapshot of various schemes for Party Wall Services
Snapshot of various schemes Rapleys have assisted Pocket Living providing Party Wall Services
Private Client
33 Beach Road West, Portishead, Bristol
Acting for the Building Owner to enable the redevelopment of a dilapidated residential site
Rose Builders Limited
Redevelopment of the former bus station, Bures
Engaged on Party Wall matters for the redevelopment of the former bus station into 10 new residential homes and a commercial unit.
HSF London Ltd
Hotel Riu Plaza, Victoria, London
Full Party Wall services for a new 4-star, 435 room hotel
37-42 Tenby Street and 30-31 Albion Street, Birmingham
Expert Party Wall advice to protect adjoining owners’ interests
Farleigh Property
Tower Bridge Mews, London
Party Wall matters for an infill development comprising two multi-storey blocks providing nine apartments and a ground floor commercial unit
New University of Bristol ‘Enterprise Campus’
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