Neighbour's New fence blocks all light on our old extension.

The Kurgan · 04-03-2014 03:25PM #1

Will try keep this short and sweet.

Mother inherited a Pre'63 house down the country around 15 years ago.
Only now are we able to try are renovate it. The original house was built onto with a "DIY type extension " pre 63 aswell , its' more like a corrugated shed coming off the "main" building and is uninhabitable. It's like a scene from a Hammer horror movie.that said..... it's good for storage while renovations in the main part are going on .

As the commute is around 3 hours each way we don't get down that often.

Since between now and Christmas one of our neighbours have basically
put up a fence on the boundary right up against the windows where the old extension is Blocking ALL light in the part. I mean all light .

There are three seperate rooms, and all four windows are boarded up as they all over look their new conservatory extension and garden.

We have never met the neighbours is they are around the corner from us and not either side and also because we are hardly ever down never bumped into the.

First off I understand they wanted more privacy and that's fair enough but
to board up someone windows without an attempt to even inform us ...bad form.We would have put up some sort of window film or something as all we need is the light..anyway.

From a legal point of view are they allowed put up the fence on their boundary that blocks all light into our building ???

I'll attach some pics and you'll be shocked i'd say ..

DOCARCH · 04-03-2014 04:01PM

The Kurgan wrote: »

From a legal point of view are they allowed put up the fence on their boundary that blocks all light into our building ???

If the window has been there more than 20 years, then, no, they cannot, you have a (legal) right to light in that case. They cannot simply block your window.

Problem is that this is a civil matter between you and your neighbour so there is not much point in going to the Council about this (..but also see below) as there is not much they can do. You need to talk to a solicitor

The only thing you can do, initially, is measure the height of the fence they put up. If it is over 2.0 metres high, check if they got planning permission for the fence. If it is over 2.0 metres high, and they did not get planning permission, you could approach the planning enforcement section of the Council and ask them to investigate.

The Kurgan · 04-03-2014 04:33PM

Cheers Docarch,

Attached a pic there .Not sure whether it's above the two meters but have a feeling it is.

Quite sad that people wouldn't even have the courtesy to inform us of what they were planning, even a feckin letter in the doorway and instead will cause a load of grief for all involved.

DOCARCH · 04-03-2014 04:53PM

The Kurgan wrote: »

I'll attach some pics and you'll be shocked i'd say ..

That's mad!

First step, I would say, is try and check the height of the fence.

Next step, if inclined, talk to and/or send a letter (yourself) to the neighbour and if you are willing, suggest you will put in opaque glass (although I would say...if the window is there more than 20 years...you are not obliged to).

Next step, if you are really upset by it, talk to a solicitor.

Fries-With-That · 04-03-2014 05:36PM

I would say that's a pre emptive strike on behalf of your neighbours. I'd imagine they have noticed that you have started to renovate the property and they have decided that you might be about to rebuild the extension.

I'd call around to them before getting councils or planning officers involved.

You should check the property deeds for site outline as I find it strange that an extension was built with windows right on the boundery.

It looks from the picture that they have attached the fence directly to your extension, if you were to knock the extension, would their fence fall down.

If you are planning on rebuilding the extension at some stage would it be easier to install roof windows and forget about the neighbours altogether.

I don't envy you the problem.

mikom · 04-03-2014 05:40PM

Some craic getting out that window if there was a fire..........

The Kurgan · 04-03-2014 08:02PM

Fries i'd say you're spot on there,they've probably noticed a bit more activity
coming and going ..

Honestly we have no intention to go near the extension and if we could knock it we would but, the costs incurred to do it just don't warrant it.

Either way it's good to talk ,
We'll bring them in for a cup of tea in the extension

itsirishfarmer · 04-03-2014 08:10PM

it might be on your boundry ,

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:8caoem5JNjEJ:www.scsi.ie/sbp3006+&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

04-03-2014 08:16PM

A lesson in how to pee your neighbours off! That's so mad, it's unbelievable! Try to keep the head and use negotiation, involving the local county councillor as a go between - as long as he's not a relative!

The Kurgan · 04-03-2014 09:51PM

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1210874/Neighbour-builds-6ft-wall-half-inch-familys-windows-stop-trespassing-land-opening-them.html

delta1980 · 04-03-2014 11:17PM

I cannot believe that, its unreal. they have no right to do that its ignorance of the highest order. in no way should you allow them to get away with that

JimsAlterEgo · 05-03-2014 09:05AM

OP, was there planning permission for your window? Even retrospective permission?

sydthebeat · 05-03-2014 09:19AM

JimsAlterEgo wrote: »

OP, was there planning permission for your window? Even retrospective permission?

Pre 63 development.

Superdaddy · 05-03-2014 10:09AM

That's shocking. What a way to deal with the new neighbours. I would suggest trying to talk to them about it. But I doubt that you could talk to the kind of person that would do such a thing. Try to avoid going down the legal route, only solicitor and barristers win from that. The fire officer could be useful. Stick a bed in the room before he arrives.

Your house and window was there before their conservatory, I wouldn't be offering the put frosted glass in so you can't see into their property.

Could you take out the window from the inside and a cut a hole the shape of the window and stick the window back in.:)

JimsAlterEgo · 05-03-2014 11:44AM

sydthebeat wrote: »

Pre 63 development.

I am guessing the neighbour possibly thinks there is no planning for the extension bit so thinks they can do as they like as the OP wouldnt object as there was no planning

bbam · 05-03-2014 07:33PM

Get the jigsaw out.. 10 minutes work.. Wave at new neighbours..

But seriously, that was some ignorant act, I'd start by poping round and having a chat, its always best start at the basic level and see how it goes..

Neighbour's New fence blocks all light on our old extension.

Comments