A party wall is any structure that straddles the boundary between two properties. It can be: Vertical, as in the wall between semi-detached houses Horizontal, such as the floor of a flat A standalone boundary structure that separates land from the adjoining property Any work that you or your neighbour carries out to a party wall can potentially lead to a party wall dispute. For example, you would not be happy if your neighbour did shoddy work that affected the structural integrity of your home. The most common type of dispute occurs when someone does work to a shared wall without their neighbour’s permission, or a neighbour refuses to give consent to the proposed building work. The procedure for resolving these disputes is set out in the Party Wall Act 1996.