What Is the Party Wall 3 Metre Rule?
Under Section 6 of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, you must serve notice on your neighbour if you plan to excavate within 3 metres of their building and to a depth lower than the bottom of their foundations. This catches far more projects than most homeowners expect: extension footings, basement digs, underpinning, even deep drainage runs alongside a shared boundary.
And the 6 Metre Rule?
The lesser-known 6 metre rule applies when you excavate within 6 metres of a neighbouring building and your dig would cut a line drawn at 45 degrees downwards from the bottom of their foundations. In practice this matters for deep basements and sites on sloping ground, where even a seemingly distant excavation can undermine a neighbour’s support.
What the Notice Involves
A Section 6 notice must be served at least one month before work starts and should include plans and sections showing the depth of your excavation. If your neighbour dissents — or simply does not reply within 14 days — a dispute arises under the Act and surveyors must be appointed to agree a party wall award, usually with a schedule of condition to protect both sides.
Not Sure If Your Project Is Caught?
Send us your drawings and we will tell you the same day which notices apply, or whether none do. Getting this wrong risks injunctions and unprotected damage claims; getting it right costs a fixed fee. Contact Prince Surveyors for a free notifiability check.
Request Your Free Quote
Tell us about your property and we will come back with a fixed fee — or call 0204 579 8270.