If you are intending to undertake Building Work on your Property: then you may be a "Building Owner"

(if you are a neighbour then click here > Adjoining Owner)

The Party Wall etc Act 1996 ("the Act") might encompass more aspects of building work than than you might have expected, obviously there is the 'party wall' bit in the title, but what about the 'etc' : that also covers so much more:

• work on an existing wall or structure shared with another property (section 2
  of the Act)
• building a free-standing wall or a wall of a building up-to or astride a boundary (section 1 of the Act)
• excavating near (within 3 metres or 6 metres) a neighbouring building (section 6 of the Act).

You must find out whether the work that you are intending to undertake falls within the Act.  If it does, you must notify the Adjoining Owners.