Brought to you by Jason Edworthy – your Local Party Wall Surveyors provider
Carried out work near a shared wall without serving a Party Wall Notice? Don’t panic—Jason Edworthy is here to help with retrospective Reading party wall agreements.
Retrospective party wall agreement is a formal legal resolution created after building work has started or been completed without serving the appropriate Party Wall Notice—which is normally required under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Under this Act, if your construction project affects a shared wall, boundary wall, or structure close to a neighbouring property, you’re legally obliged to notify the adjoining owners before the work begins.
This is typically done through a Party Wall Notice, which allows neighbours the opportunity to agree, dissent, or appoint a surveyor.
However, in many real-world scenarios, people are unaware of this requirement or proceed without it—whether due to time constraints, a lack of guidance, or oversight. That’s where a retrospective agreement comes into play.
Why Might You Need a Retrospective Party Wall Agreement?
You may require a retrospective Reading agreement if:
This process involves a qualified party wall surveyor—like Jason Edworthy—who steps in to assess the situation, speak with adjoining owners, and produce the necessary documentation to protect everyone’s interests.
Yes, you can still get legal help even if the building work has started or is done. This is true even if you did not give a Party Wall Notice first.
It’s always good to follow the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 before any work gets started. But things do not always go as planned. This is where a retrospective Reading party wall agreement can be helpful.
If you start building or do any work next to a shared wall, boundary, or structure, and you do not tell your neighbours first, you may be breaking the Act.
This can make you open to problems with your neighbour, legal issues, or even costly delays. This is true if you want to sell or get a new loan on the property.
A retrospective agreement, prepared by a qualified party wall surveyor like Jason Edworthy, can help you regain legal footing by:
As your local Party Wall Surveyors provider, we works to protect your interests, manage communication with neighbours, and help bring your project back in line with legal requirements—without unnecessary stress or conflict.
Need help fast? We’re here to support you, even if the work is already underway.
In formal terms, no — a Party Wall Notice is meant to be served before work begins, giving neighbours time to respond and protect their property rights. Once the work has started (or finished), a standard notice no longer applies under the strict wording of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
However, that doesn’t mean you’re out of options.
If construction work was carried out without prior notice, a retrospective Party Wall Agreement (often formalised as a retrospective Reading Party Wall Award) can help resolve the situation. While this doesn’t replace the legal requirement to notify in advance, it demonstrates a proactive effort to address the issue properly and can help prevent additional costs.
1. Restore compliance where possible
2. Reduce the risk of neighbour disputes or claims
3. Satisfy solicitors or lenders if you’re selling or refinancing
4. Offer a record of the work and any agreed terms
At Jason Edworthy, your local Party Wall Surveyors provider, we work with clients who find themselves in this situation. We’ll assess the work, open up communication with neighbours, and put a formal agreement in place to minimize risk and move forward with confidence.
So, while a retrospective Reading notice can’t formally “satisfy” the original notice requirement, a retrospective Award can still provide legal protection and peace of mind.
