Is your neighbour in Maidenhead gearing up to build an extension that creeps right up to your boundary line? Are you unsure how this might affect your home or what to do about it? If you’ve found yourself squinting at a Party Wall Notice and wondering whether you need a lawyer or just stronger coffee—you’re not alone.
If you've received a Party Wall Notice, pause before you panic. This isn’t a courtesy letter—it's a formal legal document. And it matters. It outlines what your neighbour intends to build and how both your properties will be protected. But here’s the kicker: if you don’t act, you may lose your chance to object—or to protect your own property. That’s why Understanding Your Rights as a Neighbour is crucial. It’s not just about knowing your options; it’s about securing your peace of mind.
Before building begins, anyone carrying out work that affects a shared wall or is close enough to impact your property must serve notice. The notice will detail:
The nature of the building works
When the work is expected to start
The name and address of the person carrying out the works
1. Approve the Works
If you're content with the plan, you can approve it. A surveyor may still prepare a Schedule of Condition, documenting your property's state before works begin. This acts like an insurance policy complete with photos and detailed notes.
2. Dissent and Appoint a Surveyor
Not on board? That’s okay. You can dissent and appoint your own surveyor. They’ll review the plans, suggest changes to protect your property, and produce a Party Wall Award—the legal green light that allows work to proceed, but under clear conditions.
3. Stay Silent
If you don’t respond within 14 days, you’ll receive a formal reminder. Ignore that too, and your neighbour can appoint a surveyor on your behalf. That surveyor will still act independently, but you’ll have missed your chance to choose your own representation.
Let’s say the work has already started—and you didn’t receive a notice. Awkward? Absolutely. Illegal? Possibly. In this case, reach out to your neighbour first. If they refuse to provide one, it’s time to speak to a surveyor or legal advisor. In serious situations, you may need a court injunction to stop the work until everything is done by the book.
Surveyors are the referees in construction disputes. They don’t pick sides they just ensure the rules are followed. From preparing a Schedule of Condition to negotiating protective measures for your home, a qualified surveyor ensures peace of mind while construction is underway next door.
A Party Wall Agreement brings together the notice, your consent or objection, and the surveyor’s findings into one official, legally binding document. It's the foundation of a peaceful build and a neighbourly relationship that doesn’t end in a shouting match over the fence.
Back to Homepage
The Party Wall Act doesn’t let you block building work just because you don’t like the idea. But it does allow you to ensure your property won’t be harmed and that you’ll be compensated if it is. That’s the power of the Party Wall Award.
If your neighbours in Maidenhead are planning building works, don’t ignore the notice. Respond promptly, ask questions, and when in doubt get a surveyor on your side. The law is there to protect both parties.