Party Wall Act 1996: Complete Guide for Adjoining Owners in London

THE PARTY WALL ETC. ACT 1996 DEFINES TWO CATEGORIES OF PARTY: THE BUILDING OWNER: THE PARTY PROPOSING TO CARRY OUT THE NOTIFIABLE WORKS — THE PERSON UNDERTAKING THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT (THE LOFT CONVERSION, REAR EXTENSION, OR BASEMENT). THE ADJOINING OWNER: ANY OWNER OR OCCUPIER OF LAND OR PROPERTY WHO IS ADJOINING OR ADJACENT TO THE BUILDING WHERE THE WORKS ARE PROPOSED — TYPICALLY THE IMMEDIATE NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBOUR (IN A LONDON VICTORIAN TERRACE: THE OCCUPIER AND OWNER OF THE HOUSE SHARING THE PARTY WALL).

WHO COUNTS AS AN ADJOINING OWNER: SECTION 20 OF THE ACT DEFINES ADJOINING OWNER AS: THE OWNER OF LAND OR BUILDINGS HAVING AN ESTATE OR INTEREST THEREIN — AND THE OCCUPIER OF LAND OR BUILDINGS. IN PRACTICE: (1) THE FREEHOLD OWNER OF THE ADJOINING PROPERTY (TYPICALLY THE PERSON WHO OWNS THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR — THE MOST COMMON ADJOINING OWNER IN A LONDON VICTORIAN TERRACE CONTEXT). (2) A LEASEHOLD TENANT WITH A LEASE OF MORE THAN ONE YEAR REMAINING (IN A PROPERTY THAT HAS BEEN CONVERTED TO LEASEHOLD FLATS — THE ADJOINING OWNER OF EACH FLAT SHARING THE PARTY WALL OR PARTY STRUCTURE MUST BE SEPARATELY NOTIFIED). (3) A MORTGAGEE IN POSSESSION (RARE IN PRACTICE). (4) ANY PERSON WITH A JOINT TENANCY OR TENANCY IN COMMON (WHERE THE PROPERTY IS CO-OWNED — ALL CO-OWNERS MUST BE SEPARATELY NOTIFIED). IN A LONDON VICTORIAN TERRACE THAT HAS BEEN CONVERTED INTO LEASEHOLD FLATS: EACH FLAT OWNER WHOSE FLAT SHARES OR IS ADJACENT TO THE PARTY WALL IS A SEPARATE ADJOINING OWNER — ALL MUST BE NOTIFIED INDIVIDUALLY. THIS MEANS THAT A LOFT CONVERSION ON A VICTORIAN TERRACE THAT HAS BEEN CONVERTED INTO 3 FLATS NEXT DOOR MAY NEED TO SERVE NOTICE ON 3 SEPARATE ADJOINING OWNERS (PLUS THE FREEHOLDER).

WORKS THAT TRIGGER NOTICE OBLIGATIONS: SECTION 1 (LINE OF JUNCTION NOTICE — NEW WALLS ON OR ASTRIDE THE BOUNDARY LINE — LESS COMMON IN EXISTING TERRACE RENOVATIONS). SECTION 2 (PARTY STRUCTURE NOTICE — WORK TO AN EXISTING PARTY WALL OR PARTY STRUCTURE — THE MOST COMMON IN LONDON TERRACE RENOVATION: UNDERPINNING/STRENGTHENING THE PARTY WALL; CUTTING INTO THE PARTY WALL TO INSERT BEAMS (AS IN A LOFT CONVERSION OR STRUCTURAL OPENING); RAISING THE PARTY WALL; ANY WORK ON THE PARTY WALL ITSELF). SECTION 6 (ADJACENT EXCAVATION NOTICE — ANY EXCAVATION WITHIN 3 METRES OF THE ADJOINING OWNER'S STRUCTURE TO A DEPTH GREATER THAN THE LOWEST FOUNDATION OF THAT STRUCTURE — THE MOST RELEVANT FOR REAR EXTENSION FOUNDATIONS ON LONDON CLAY OR BASEMENT EXCAVATION).

WHEN THE BUILDING OWNER SERVES A VALID PARTY WALL NOTICE ON THE ADJOINING OWNER (UNDER SECTION 1, 2, OR 6), THE ADJOINING OWNER HAS 14 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF SERVICE TO RESPOND. THE 14-DAY PERIOD RUNS FROM THE DATE THE NOTICE IS SERVED (NOT THE DATE THE ADJOINING OWNER RECEIVES IT — ALTHOUGH IN PRACTICE MOST NOTICES ARE HAND-DELIVERED AND THE SERVICE DATE AND RECEIPT DATE ARE THE SAME DAY).

THREE POSSIBLE RESPONSES WITHIN THE 14 DAYS: OPTION 1 — CONSENT IN WRITING: THE ADJOINING OWNER SIGNS AND RETURNS THE CONSENT FORM (TYPICALLY ATTACHED TO THE NOTICE) OR WRITES A LETTER OF CONSENT TO THE BUILDING OWNER WITHIN 14 DAYS OF NOTICE SERVICE. EFFECT: THE BUILDING OWNER CAN PROCEED WITH THE WORKS DESCRIBED IN THE NOTICE WITHOUT APPOINTING A PARTY WALL SURVEYOR — THE CONSENT MEANS THE ACT'S DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURE DOES NOT APPLY TO THE CONSENTED WORKS. IMPORTANT: CONSENT UNDER THE ACT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE PLANNING PERMISSION OR BUILDING REGULATIONS APPROVAL — THESE REMAIN SEPARATE REQUIREMENTS. PRACTICAL CONSIDERATION FOR THE ADJOINING OWNER BEFORE CONSENTING: BEFORE CONSENTING TO A PARTY WALL NOTICE, THE ADJOINING OWNER SHOULD ENSURE THEY HAVE RECEIVED (AND CAN RETAIN COPIES OF) THE ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS SHOWING THE WORKS — A SCHEDULE OF CONDITION OF THEIR PROPERTY SHOULD IDEALLY BE AGREED BEFORE CONSENT (SO THAT ANY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE WORKS CAN BE DISTINGUISHED FROM PRE-EXISTING CONDITION) — BUT A SCHEDULE OF CONDITION IS ONLY MANDATORY IF SURVEYORS ARE APPOINTED (NOT ON CONSENT).

OPTION 2 — DISSENT (SERVING COUNTER-NOTICE OR INDICATING DISPUTE): THE ADJOINING OWNER INDICATES IN WRITING WITHIN 14 DAYS THAT THEY DO NOT CONSENT (DISSENT). EFFECT: A DISPUTE IS DEEMED TO HAVE ARISEN UNDER THE ACT — THE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURE APPLIES — PARTY WALL SURVEYORS MUST BE APPOINTED. THE ADJOINING OWNER DOES NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO PREVENT THE WORKS FROM PROCEEDING (THE ACT DOES NOT GIVE A VETO POWER) — BUT THE SURVEYOR PROCESS PROTECTS THEIR INTERESTS THROUGH THE AWARD MECHANISM. OPTION 3 — FAILURE TO RESPOND WITHIN 14 DAYS (DEEMED DISSENT): IF THE ADJOINING OWNER FAILS TO RESPOND WITHIN 14 DAYS, A DISPUTE IS AUTOMATICALLY DEEMED TO HAVE ARISEN UNDER THE ACT (SECTION 5) — THE SAME EFFECT AS OPTION 2 (DISSENT) — SURVEYOR PROCESS MUST THEN FOLLOW. PRACTICAL POINT: THE ADJOINING OWNER CANNOT BE COMPELLED TO CONSENT — AND HAS NO OBLIGATION TO RESPOND WITHIN 14 DAYS — NON-RESPONSE IS THE EASIEST WAY TO TRIGGER THE SURVEYOR PROCESS WITHOUT REQUIRING ANY ACTION BY THE ADJOINING OWNER.

ONCE A DISPUTE HAS ARISEN (OR IS DEEMED TO HAVE ARISEN — THROUGH DISSENT OR NON-RESPONSE WITHIN 14 DAYS), THE ACT PROVIDES TWO SURVEYOR APPOINTMENT MECHANISMS: THE AGREED SURVEYOR PROCEDURE AND THE TWO SURVEYOR PROCEDURE.

OPTION 1 — AGREED SURVEYOR (SECTION 10(1)(a)): BOTH THE BUILDING OWNER AND THE ADJOINING OWNER JOINTLY APPOINT A SINGLE PARTY WALL SURVEYOR (THE AGREED SURVEYOR) WHO ACTS AS AN IMPARTIAL ADJUDICATOR — NOT AS AN ADVOCATE FOR EITHER PARTY. THE AGREED SURVEYOR INSPECTS THE WORKS, AGREES A SCHEDULE OF CONDITION, PREPARES AND ISSUES THE AWARD. ADVANTAGES: TYPICALLY QUICKER AND CHEAPER THAN THE TWO SURVEYOR PROCEDURE (ONE FEE RATHER THAN TWO PLUS A POTENTIAL THIRD SURVEYOR). DISADVANTAGES: THE AGREED SURVEYOR IS APPOINTED BY BOTH PARTIES — BOTH PARTIES MUST AGREE ON THE SAME INDIVIDUAL — IN PRACTICE, MANY ADJOINING OWNERS ARE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH AN AGREED SURVEYOR SUGGESTED BY THE BUILDING OWNER (PARTICULARLY IF THE BUILDING OWNER'S CONTRACTOR OR ARCHITECT RECOMMENDS THE SURVEYOR). THE ADJOINING OWNER HAS THE RIGHT UNDER SECTION 10(4) TO RESCIND AN AGREED SURVEYOR APPOINTMENT IF THE AGREED SURVEYOR RESIGNS OR IS UNABLE TO ACT — AND A NEW APPOINTMENT MUST THEN BE MADE. NOTE: THE ADJOINING OWNER CANNOT BE COMPELLED TO AGREE TO AN AGREED SURVEYOR — IF THE ADJOINING OWNER PREFERS THE TWO SURVEYOR PROCEDURE (THEIR OWN SURVEYOR), THEY ARE ENTITLED TO APPOINT THEIR OWN.

OPTION 2 — TWO SURVEYOR PROCEDURE (SECTION 10(1)(b)): EACH PARTY APPOINTS THEIR OWN PARTY WALL SURVEYOR: THE BUILDING OWNER APPOINTS THE BUILDING OWNER'S SURVEYOR; THE ADJOINING OWNER APPOINTS THE ADJOINING OWNER'S SURVEYOR. THE TWO SURVEYORS JOINTLY INSPECT THE WORKS AND JOINTLY AGREE THE AWARD. IF THE TWO SURVEYORS CANNOT AGREE (ON ANY MATTER — AWARD CONTENT, SCHEDULE OF CONDITION, TIMING OF WORKS, COMPENSATION), EITHER SURVEYOR CAN CALL IN A THIRD SURVEYOR — SELECTED FROM A LIST AGREED BETWEEN THE TWO SURVEYORS BEFORE THE DISPUTE ARISES (SECTION 10(1)(b) ALSO REQUIRES THE TWO PARTIES TO SELECT A THIRD SURVEYOR AT THE TIME OF THEIR RESPECTIVE APPOINTMENTS — THIS THIRD SURVEYOR IS THE UMPIRE). THE BUILDING OWNER PAYS THE COST OF THE ADJOINING OWNER'S SURVEYOR: THIS IS A CRITICAL PROVISION OF THE ACT (SECTION 10(13)) — WHERE THE BUILDING OWNER HAS MADE IT NECESSARY FOR THE PARTY WALL PROCESS TO OCCUR, THE BUILDING OWNER BEARS THE SURVEYOR COSTS — THE ADJOINING OWNER IS ENTITLED TO APPOINT THEIR OWN SURVEYOR WITHOUT ANY COST TO THEMSELVES. (EXCEPTION: IF THE ADJOINING OWNER ACTS UNREASONABLY — E.G., DEMANDS A SCHEDULE OF CONDITION INSPECTION AT UNREASONABLE TIMES OR MAKES FRIVOLOUS OBJECTIONS — THE SURVEYOR MAY APPORTION SOME COSTS TO THE ADJOINING OWNER UNDER SECTION 10(13)(b)).

THE SCHEDULE OF CONDITION IS A WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD OF THE CONDITION OF THE ADJOINING OWNER'S PROPERTY IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE NOTIFIABLE WORKS COMMENCE. IT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PRACTICAL PROTECTION THE PARTY WALL PROCESS OFFERS THE ADJOINING OWNER — BECAUSE IT ESTABLISHES A BASELINE AGAINST WHICH ANY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE WORKS CAN BE IDENTIFIED AND DISTINGUISHED FROM PRE-EXISTING DEFECTS.

WHEN IS A SCHEDULE OF CONDITION PREPARED: WHERE THE TWO SURVEYOR OR AGREED SURVEYOR PROCEDURE HAS BEEN ENGAGED: THE SURVEYOR(S) WILL CARRY OUT A SCHEDULE OF CONDITION INSPECTION AS PART OF THE PARTY WALL PROCESS — TYPICALLY BEFORE THE AWARD IS ISSUED. THE SCHEDULE OF CONDITION IS ATTACHED TO AND FORMS PART OF THE AWARD. WHERE THE ADJOINING OWNER HAS CONSENTED: THERE IS NO STATUTORY RIGHT TO A SCHEDULE OF CONDITION (THE ACT'S DISPUTE RESOLUTION MECHANISM DOES NOT APPLY ON CONSENT) — BUT THE ADJOINING OWNER SHOULD ALWAYS REQUEST (IN WRITING) THAT A SCHEDULE OF CONDITION BE CARRIED OUT BEFORE WORKS COMMENCE — AND THE BUILDING OWNER SHOULD AGREE THIS AS A PRACTICAL COMMERCIAL AND NEIGHBOURLY ARRANGEMENT.

CONTENT OF A TYPICAL SCHEDULE OF CONDITION: NARRATIVE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE CONDITION OF ALL INTERNAL WALLS AND CEILINGS ADJACENT TO OR ABOVE THE PARTY WALL (LISTING ALL EXISTING CRACKS — MEASURED IN MILLIMETRES — DAMPNESS MARKS — PLASTER DEFECTS — SETTLEMENT CRACKS — LOOSE TILES — WINDOW FRAME GAPS — ETC.). PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD (HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOGRAPHS OF ALL AREAS DESCRIBED IN THE NARRATIVE — DATE-STAMPED AND REFERENCED TO THE NARRATIVE). EXTERNAL CONDITION (CONDITION OF THE REAR GARDEN WALL, EXTERNAL GROUND LEVELS, EXTERNAL SURFACES ADJACENT TO THE WORKS). IN A LONDON VICTORIAN TERRACE: THE SCHEDULE OF CONDITION WILL TYPICALLY COVER: THE PARTY WALL FLANK ELEVATION (INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL WHERE ACCESSIBLE); ALL FIRST-FLOOR BEDROOMS IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE PARTY WALL; THE LOFT SPACE ABOVE THE PARTY WALL; ANY EXTERNAL SURFACES ON THE BOUNDARY SIDE; THE GARDEN AND OUTBUILDINGS ON THE BOUNDARY SIDE.

LEGAL STATUS OF THE SCHEDULE OF CONDITION: IF DAMAGE OCCURS DURING OR AFTER THE WORKS AND THE BUILDING OWNER DISPUTES LIABILITY: THE SCHEDULE OF CONDITION IS THE PRIMARY EVIDENCE — IF THE DAMAGE IS NOT SHOWN IN THE SCHEDULE OF CONDITION, IT IS PRESUMED TO HAVE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE WORKS — THE BUILDING OWNER BEARS THE BURDEN OF DISPROVING THIS. THE BUILDING OWNER IS LIABLE UNDER SECTION 7(2) FOR ALL DAMAGE TO THE ADJOINING OWNER'S PROPERTY CAUSED BY THE NOTIFIABLE WORKS — THE ADJOINING OWNER IS ENTITLED TO REASONABLE COMPENSATION FOR DAMAGE.

THE PARTY WALL AWARD (ALSO CALLED THE PARTY WALL AGREEMENT — BUT STRICTLY THE CORRECT TERM IS AWARD) IS THE FORMAL DOCUMENT PRODUCED BY THE PARTY WALL SURVEYOR(S) SETTING OUT THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH THE NOTIFIABLE WORKS MAY BE CARRIED OUT. THE AWARD IS THE LEGAL INSTRUMENT THAT GOVERNS THE WORKS FOR THE DURATION OF THE PROJECT.

TYPICAL CONTENT OF A PARTY WALL AWARD: (1) IDENTIFICATION OF THE PARTIES: NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF THE BUILDING OWNER AND ADJOINING OWNER. (2) DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTIFIABLE WORKS: CROSS-REFERENCED TO THE ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS (THE DRAWINGS ARE USUALLY APPENDED TO OR REFERENCED IN THE AWARD). (3) METHOD OF WORKS: HOW THE WORKS ARE TO BE CARRIED OUT — INCLUDING TEMPORARY SUPPORT METHODS (PROPPING REGIME), SEQUENCE OF WORKS, ACCESS ARRANGEMENTS. (4) WORKING HOURS: THE PERMITTED HOURS FOR NOISY WORKS (TYPICALLY MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8AM-6PM AND SATURDAY 8AM-1PM — CONSISTENT WITH THE LOCAL AUTHORITY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERMITTED HOURS — THE AWARD MAY RESTRICT NOISY WORKS FURTHER). (5) SCHEDULE OF CONDITION: THE ATTACHED SCHEDULE OF CONDITION (NARRATIVE + PHOTOGRAPHS) — FORMING PART OF THE AWARD AND PROVIDING THE BASELINE FOR DAMAGE CLAIMS. (6) SECURITY FOR EXPENSES: WHERE THE ADJOINING OWNER REQUIRES IT (SECTION 12), THE AWARD MAY REQUIRE THE BUILDING OWNER TO DEPOSIT A SUM WITH THE AWARD (SECURITY FOR THE ADJOINING OWNER'S POTENTIAL LEGAL AND REMEDIAL COSTS IF THE BUILDING OWNER FAILS TO REPAIR DAMAGE) — THIS IS MORE COMMON IN COMPLEX OR HIGH-VALUE WORKS. (7) ACCESS RIGHTS: THE BUILDING OWNER'S RIGHT OF ACCESS TO THE ADJOINING OWNER'S LAND FOR THE PURPOSE OF CARRYING OUT THE WORKS (SECTION 8) — THE ADJOINING OWNER MUST BE GIVEN 14 DAYS' WRITTEN NOTICE OF ANY ACCESS REQUIREMENT. (8) COSTS: CONFIRMATION THAT THE BUILDING OWNER BEARS THE SURVEYOR FEES (SECTION 10(13)).

APPEAL AGAINST AN AWARD: EITHER PARTY MAY APPEAL AN AWARD TO THE COUNTY COURT WITHIN 14 DAYS OF SERVICE OF THE AWARD (SECTION 10(17)). AN APPEAL DOES NOT SUSPEND THE AWARD (THE WORKS MAY CONTINUE WHILE THE APPEAL IS HEARD) — UNLESS THE COURT SPECIFICALLY ORDERS A STAY.

THE ACT GIVES THE ADJOINING OWNER A RANGE OF IMPORTANT RIGHTS — BEYOND SIMPLY THE RIGHT TO APPOINT A SURVEYOR AND RECEIVE A SCHEDULE OF CONDITION. THE ADJOINING OWNER SHOULD BE AWARE OF THESE RIGHTS AND EXERCISE THEM THROUGH THEIR SURVEYOR WHERE APPROPRIATE.

KEY RIGHTS OF THE ADJOINING OWNER UNDER THE ACT: RIGHT TO COMPENSATION (SECTION 7(2)): THE BUILDING OWNER IS LIABLE FOR ALL DAMAGE TO THE ADJOINING OWNER'S PROPERTY CAUSED BY THE NOTIFIABLE WORKS — THIS RIGHT CANNOT BE CONTRACTED OUT OF AND IS ENFORCEABLE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER A PARTY WALL AWARD IS IN PLACE OR NOT. THE COMPENSATION COVERS: PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE ADJOINING PROPERTY (CRACKS, DAMP, STRUCTURAL MOVEMENT); COST OF REPAIRS; CONSEQUENTIAL LOSSES (WHERE PROPORTIONATE AND PROVEN). RIGHT TO INSPECT (SECTION 8): THE BUILDING OWNER AND THEIR SURVEYOR HAVE THE RIGHT TO ENTER THE ADJOINING PROPERTY TO INSPECT AND CARRY OUT THE WORKS — BUT MUST GIVE 14 DAYS' WRITTEN NOTICE OF ANY ENTRY REQUIREMENT. THE ADJOINING OWNER CANNOT UNREASONABLY REFUSE ACCESS — BUT CAN REQUIRE APPROPRIATE NOTICE AND REASONABLE CONDITIONS FOR ENTRY. RIGHT TO A COUNTER-NOTICE (SECTION 4): THE ADJOINING OWNER MAY SERVE A COUNTER-NOTICE WITHIN 14 DAYS OF RECEIVING A SECTION 2 (PARTY STRUCTURE) NOTICE — REQUIRING THE BUILDING OWNER TO CARRY OUT ADDITIONAL WORK TO THE PARTY WALL THAT IS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ADJOINING OWNER (SUCH AS BUILDING A FLUE IN THE PARTY WALL WHILE THE PARTY WALL IS ALREADY OPEN FOR THE BUILDING OWNER'S WORKS). THE COST OF ANY ADDITIONAL WORK REQUIRED BY COUNTER-NOTICE THAT BENEFITS THE ADJOINING OWNER ONLY IS PAID BY THE ADJOINING OWNER. PYRAMUS AND THISBE CLUB: THE UK'S SPECIALIST PARTY WALL SURVEYOR PROFESSIONAL BODY — THE PYRAMUS AND THISBE CLUB (NAMED AFTER THE STORY IN SHAKESPEARE'S A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM — IN WHICH THE TWO CHARACTERS COMMUNICATE THROUGH A CRACK IN THE WALL) IS THE LEADING BODY FOR PARTY WALL SURVEYORS IN ENGLAND AND WALES — MEMBERSHIP IS VOLUNTARY BUT PYRAMUS AND THISBE MEMBERS ARE GENERALLY THE MOST EXPERIENCED PARTY WALL SPECIALISTS — AN ADJOINING OWNER APPOINTING THEIR OWN SURVEYOR SHOULD LOOK FOR A PYRAMUS AND THISBE CLUB MEMBER OR A RICS-QUALIFIED SURVEYOR WITH PARTY WALL EXPERIENCE.

COST OF ADJOINING OWNER'S SURVEYOR: THE BUILDING OWNER PAYS THE ADJOINING OWNER'S SURVEYOR'S FEES (SECTION 10(13)). TYPICAL PARTY WALL SURVEYOR FEES IN LONDON (2025): SCHEDULE OF CONDITION ONLY (NO AWARD — WHERE ADJOINING OWNER CONSENTS BUT REQUESTS A SCHEDULE): £200-400. AWARD (AGREED SURVEYOR — ONE SURVEYOR ACTS FOR BOTH PARTIES): £600-1,200 TOTAL (SPLIT BETWEEN THE PARTIES IN PRACTICE WITH BUILDING OWNER PAYING MOST OR ALL). ADJOINING OWNER'S SURVEYOR FEE (TWO SURVEYOR PROCEDURE): £400-800 (PAID BY BUILDING OWNER UNDER SECTION 10(13)). BUILDING OWNER'S SURVEYOR FEE (TWO SURVEYOR PROCEDURE): £400-800. THIRD SURVEYOR (IF CALLED IN): ADDITIONAL £300-600 FOR THE SPECIFIC MATTER REFERRED TO THEM. TOTAL PARTY WALL SURVEYOR COST BORNE BY BUILDING OWNER IN A TYPICAL LONDON LOFT CONVERSION: £600-1,500 (DEPENDING ON WHETHER AGREED OR TWO SURVEYOR PROCEDURE AND NUMBER OF ADJOINING OWNERS NOTIFIED).