The Party Wall Act of 1996 establishes a framework for preventing and resolving disagreements over party barriers. When the owners of a building desire to start construction on or near a party wall, they are required to give notification to the owners of the adjoining buildings. For their part, adjacent property owners are given the opportunity to voice their opinions regarding the type of work that is carried out, the choice to either agree or disagree with the planned work, and assurances that the work will be carried out accurately and without causing any damage to their properties.