Looking for a free party wall notice template? Below are copyable templates for all three notice types under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, with guidance on getting them right – because a defective notice is invalid and restarts the clock on your project.
Which Party Wall Notice Template Do You Need?
- Section 1 – Line of Junction Notice: building a new wall up to or astride the boundary. Serve at least 1 month before starting.
- Section 3 – Party Structure Notice: work to an existing party wall or structure (cutting in beams, removing a chimney breast, raising or underpinning). Serve at least 2 months before starting.
- Section 6 – Adjacent Excavation Notice: digging within 3 metres (deeper than the neighbour’s foundations) or 6 metres (within a 45-degree plane) of a neighbouring structure. Serve at least 1 month before starting. See the 3 and 6 metre rule explained.
Our full guide to party wall notices explains who counts as an adjoining owner – remember every freeholder and leaseholder with more than a year to run must be served separately.
Template 1: Line of Junction Notice (Section 1)
PARTY WALL ETC. ACT 1996 - SECTION 1 NOTICE OF INTENDED WORKS AT THE LINE OF JUNCTION To: [Adjoining Owner name], of [Adjoining Owner address] From: [Building Owner name], of [Building Owner address] As owner of [Building Owner property address], which adjoins your premises at [Adjoining Owner property address], I/we give you notice that it is intended to build at the line of junction between the two properties: [describe the wall, e.g. a new single-storey wall wholly on my own land / astride the boundary], commencing no earlier than one month from service of this notice. The intended works are shown on the attached drawing(s) [reference]. Signed: [Building Owner signature] Date: [date]
Template 2: Party Structure Notice (Section 3)
PARTY WALL ETC. ACT 1996 - SECTION 3 PARTY STRUCTURE NOTICE To: [Adjoining Owner name], of [Adjoining Owner address] From: [Building Owner name], of [Building Owner address] As owner of [Building Owner property address], I/we give you notice that, in exercise of the rights given by Section 2 of the Act, it is intended to carry out the following works to the party structure separating our properties: [describe works, e.g. insert steel beams, remove chimney breast, raise the party wall], commencing no earlier than two months from service of this notice. If you do not consent to the works within 14 days, a dispute is deemed to have arisen under Section 10 of the Act. I/we propose to appoint [Surveyor name] as surveyor in the event of a dispute, or you may agree to the appointment of an agreed surveyor. Signed: [Building Owner signature] Date: [date]
Template 3: Adjacent Excavation Notice (Section 6)
PARTY WALL ETC. ACT 1996 - SECTION 6 NOTICE OF ADJACENT EXCAVATION To: [Adjoining Owner name], of [Adjoining Owner address] From: [Building Owner name], of [Building Owner address] As owner of [Building Owner property address], I/we give you notice that it is intended to excavate within [3 / 6] metres of your building at [Adjoining Owner property address], and to a depth lower than the bottom of your foundations, for the purpose of [describe works], commencing no earlier than one month from service of this notice. It is / is not proposed to underpin or otherwise strengthen the foundations of your building. Plans and sections showing the site, depth of excavation and proposed works are attached [reference]. Signed: [Building Owner signature] Date: [date]
Why Validity Matters
Get one detail wrong – the wrong owner’s name, a missing drawing on a Section 6 notice, the wrong notice period – and the notice is defective. You must re-serve and the 1 or 2 month clock restarts, delaying your build. A valid notice starts the party wall process: consent, or dissent leading to a party wall award, ideally with a schedule of condition either way.
FAQs
Can I serve notices myself?
Yes – the Act does not require a surveyor to serve notice, and these templates are free to use. Most delays we see, however, come from home-served notices that were defective.
What happens after service?
Your neighbour has 14 days to consent or dissent. Silence counts as dissent for Section 3 notices, triggering surveyor appointments.
Does a notice expire?
Yes. If works have not begun within 12 months of service, the notice lapses.
How much do surveyors cost if my neighbour dissents?
See our guide to the costs of the party wall process for typical London fee ranges.
We will check any notice you have drafted, or serve professionally prepared notices for you, free of charge when we act on your project. Get a party wall quote or contact us today.
Speak to a RICS party wall surveyor now: call 0204 579 8270 or request a free consultation – same-day advice across every London borough.