In urban areas, shared walls—also known as party walls—can often lead to disagreements between neighbors. Since a shared wall is jointly owned by both adjoining properties, understanding the common pitfalls is crucial for maintaining good neighborly relations and avoiding legal disputes. Here are the top five mistakes to steer clear of when dealing with a shared wall.

1 - Refusing to share ownership of a party wall

While in some rural areas, declining joint ownership may be allowed, in urban settings, the law requires both property owners to share ownership of a shared wall. This rule applies specifically to walls and does not extend to other types of boundaries like wire mesh fencing, wooden fences, or hedges.

2 - Assigning only one side of the wall to a neighbor

It's a common misconception that the section of the wall on your side of the property line belongs solely to you. Legally, the entire party wall is co-owned by both neighbors. This applies to boundary walls, building walls on the property line, and even to fences, natural or artificial hedges.

3 - Refusing to pay your share of repair costs

Maintenance and repairs for a shared wall must be split equally between both owners, provided both have agreed in writing to the work (including materials, contractor, color, and cost). If one neighbor undertakes repairs without consulting the other, they cannot demand reimbursement and must cover all expenses themselves.

4 - Building against a shared wall without neighbor approval

Whether it's a boundary wall or a wall of the neighboring house, you have the right to build a garage or other structure against your shared wall. However, you must first obtain your neighbor's written consent. Work can begin once approval is granted. Your neighbor may refuse if there are concerns about the wall's structural integrity. Additionally, if the project requires drilling into the shared wall, a gap of at least 2 1/8 inches must be left on the neighbor's side.

5 - Preventing your neighbor from growing climbing plants on the shared wall

It's a mistake to forbid your neighbor from growing plants on the shared wall. There are no laws prohibiting this, and each neighbor can plant what they wish on their side. Regular maintenance is required to ensure plants do not extend above the top of the wall. The same rule applies to any object a neighbor wants to attach to the wall, including signs. Both parties must ensure that nothing compromises the wall's stability.