Party Wall Agreement Bristol
Building works to party walls in Bristol Are you intending on carrying out building works to a party wall or boundary in Bristol?
And that, for example — as well as you may require a Party Wall Agreement Bristol — and we are here to translate it all for you into plain English.
Faulkner Surveyors We help both neighbouring structure owners throughout the nation to quickly solve their party wall problems.
Do You Really Need a Party Wall Agreement Bristol?
It depends on the type of work you’re doing. If your building plans affect a shared (party) wall, boundary, or involve excavating near your neighbour’s property, then yes—you’ll likely need a Party Wall Agreement Bristol.
Common examples include:
- Building an extension close to a neighbour’s home
- Converting a loft and changing the party wall structure
- Removing a chimney breast that’s part of a shared wall
- Digging foundations within three to six metres of a neighbouring property
Even if it’s your property, the law says you must inform neighbours if your work could impact them.
A Party Wall Agreement (also called a Party Wall Award) is the legal way to handle this—protecting both sides before any work starts.
What If Your Neighbour Starts Building on His Property Without Telling You?
If your neighbour starts work on a common wall or boundary without following the formal procedure, then they may be in breach of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. This law is to ensure that everyone had a say and was protected when work was done near or on shared structures.
In this case, you have a couple of choices:
You can talk to them and request them to suspend the work till being forced to stop formally.
Even if you can’t agree to an amicable process, you appoint a Party Wall Surveyor who will independently assess the damage.
In some cases, you may have to obtain an injunction to prevent it legally.
It may feel uncomfortable, but you’re well within your rights to bring it up. A good agreement makes things easier on all involved and prevents expensive disputes later on.
Could Skipping an Agreement Cost You Later?
Yes, it really could—and more than you might think. If you carry out work without serving notice or without a Party Wall Agreement Bristol in place, your neighbour could:
Take legal action to stop your work
Claim damages if their property is affected
Refuse access if you need to enter their land to complete the job
You could also be held financially responsible for any repairs, even if the damage wasn’t entirely your fault.
Without a formal agreement or a Schedule of Condition (which records your neighbour’s property before work starts), it becomes very difficult to prove what was or wasn’t caused by your project.
In short: skipping a Party Wall Agreement Bristol might save time at first, but it could cost you a lot more in the long run.
What If Your Neighbour Doesn’t Respond to the Notice?
If your neighbour doesn’t reply to your Party Wall Notice within 14 days, it’s treated as a dissent by default. Don’t worry—this doesn’t mean your project is blocked.
Here’s what happens next:
You appoint a Party Wall Surveyor on your neighbour’s behalf (you’re legally allowed to do this).
Your surveyor and your neighbour’s surveyor (if different) will work together to prepare a Party Wall Award.
Once the award is agreed and served, you can legally start the work—under the conditions outlined in the agreement.
At Faulkner Surveyors, we handle this process professionally and respectfully. Many neighbours just aren’t familiar with the rules, so we make sure everything is explained clearly and handled calmly.