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
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description fron the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”
Guidance notes to prepare for April ERA changes
From the Electrical Contractors' Association Employee Relations team.
Significant changes to be seen from the new ERA in 2026 and 2027, starting on 6 April 2026.
First aid in the modern workplace with St John Ambulance.
Solar panels, pitched roofs and risk of fire spread
60% increase in solar panel fires prompts tests and installation warnings.
Modernising heat networks with Heat interface unit
Why HIUs hold the key to efficiency upgrades.