Notice
A notice is a notification or warning, typically given in writing by one party to another to enable them to take necessary action. Giving notice may be a requirement of certain processes to ensure that a party is aware of what will happen, they can prepare, and they know their rights, obligations.
In legal terms, the different types of notice include:
- Actual notice: Providing legal assurance that certain information has been provided by one party to another.
- Constructive notice: Signifying that a party should have known of a legal action that is taken or to be taken. For example, if they should have discovered the facts by due diligence or by inquiry into the public record.
- Public notice: Provided to the public regarding legal proceedings.
In relation to construction and buildings there are several different types of notices.
- A tenant can give notice to their landlord that they intend to move out of the premises they are renting (a rent contract typically stipulates the notice period that must be provided). Similarly, a landlord can give a tenant notice that they are reviewing the amount of rent payable, undertaking works to the building, or terminating the contract.
- A contractor may give written notice of a claim when it becomes reasonably apparent that the regular progress of the works is being materially affected by something which is not their responsibility.
- In the event of a dispute, a party seeking arbitration, adjudication or another form of dispute resolution serves written notice on the other party(s).
- Neighbours must give notice to one another if they intend to carry out works to a party wall.
- Employees must give notice of their intention to leave their job.
Other types of notice relevant to construction include:
- Building notice.
- Building preservation notice.
- Commissioning notice.
- Default payment notice.
- Early warning notice.
- Enforcement notice.
- Light obstruction notice.
- Payment notice.
- Pay less notice.
- Statutory planning notice.
- Stop notice.
- Temporary stop notice.
- Withholding notice.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Costs and insolvencies mount for SMEs, despite growth
Construction sector under insolvency and wage bill pressure in part linked to National Insurance, says report.
The place for vitrified clay pipes in modern infrastructure
Why vitrified clay pipes are reclaiming their role in built projects.
Research by construction PR consultancy LMC published.
Roles and responsibilities of domestic clients
ACA Safety in Construction guide for domestic clients.
Fire door compliance in UK commercial buildings
Architect and manufacturer gives their low down.
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.






















