Exposing a party wall
You are allowed to uncover a party wall that used to be enclosed, as long as it is given adequate weathering. If you demolish an extension built against the party wall, the newly exposed face needs protecting.
Laying the neighbour's property open
Where work lays open any part of a neighbour's land or building, the building owner must provide hoarding, shoring or temporary construction for as long as necessary, at their own expense.
Foundations
Grubbing out old foundations, or digging new ones for a replacement building, can trigger the excavation rules if the work is within 3 or 6 metres and deep enough.
Before demolition starts
- Serve the right notices: party structure for the party wall, excavation for any digging.
- Agree how the wall will be supported and weathered, and for how long.
- Record the condition of the neighbour's property.
Rules outside the Act
Councils have separate controls over demolition, and some demolition in conservation areas needs planning permission.
Common questions
My neighbour knocked down their extension and left our shared wall exposed. What can I do?
The Act requires adequate weathering where a party wall is exposed. Ask them, or their surveyor, how it will be protected.
Where this comes from in the Act
- Section 2: Repair etc. of party wall: rights of owner
- Section 6: Adjacent excavation and construction
- Section 7: Compensation etc.
Links go to the official text of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 on legislation.gov.uk.