Notice templates · SA builders and owners
If your work could affect the stability of the land next door, South Australia wants the owner told at least 20 business days before you start.
Quick answer: In South Australia, if your building work could affect the stability of a neighbour’s land, serve a Form 1 notice on the owner at least 20 business days before work starts (Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act, section 139). A party wall needs notice and the adjoining owner’s written consent. If you need access to their land, they have 10 business days to respond.
Count 20 business days back from your start date, skipping weekends and SA public holidays. The notice period calculator does this for you.
Common triggers are excavation near the boundary, boundary retaining walls, and footings close to the neighbour’s building.
The formal notice is Form 1. This letter goes with it to explain the work in plain English. More on the South Australian notification rules page.
Change everything in [square brackets], delete anything that does not apply and check it against your own conditions before you print.
[Your business name or your name]
[Licence number if a builder] · [Phone] · [Email]
[Date]
Dear [neighbour’s name],
Building work at [site address] next to your property
We are planning [short description, eg a new home with a cut and a retaining wall along our shared boundary] at [site address].
Because the work could affect the stability of your land, the law asks us to give you formal notice at least 20 business days before we start. That notice (Form 1) is enclosed, with [plans and engineering details].
What is planned
[Eg excavation of up to [x] metres along the boundary, a new block retaining wall, and footings about [x] metres from your house.]
How we will protect your property
[Eg temporary shoring during the cut, the wall designed by [engineer], and a photo record of your side before work starts.]
Timing
Work is planned to start on or after [date], which is at least 20 business days after this notice.
[We will also need access to your side of the boundary for [x] days to [reason]. Please let us know within 10 business days whether that is OK.]
If you have any questions, or would like to meet on site, please call me on [mobile].
Kind regards,
[Name]
[Business name, or owner of [site address]]
Pin the site, set the distance and get every letterbox inside the circle as a walk list. With a job pass or yearly plan, print this notice for every address with your logo, in walk order.