A right to light is a right to receive uninterrupted light, passing across neighbouring land, into a window. If a building owner has a right to light and the path of light is obstructed, then a remedy may be sought through the courts. Obstruction of window is a breach of planning: Wrong How a development will affect the path of light to neighbouring properties is often something considered by planning departments when choosing whether or not to grant planning permission. However, once planning permission is granted, so long as the construction complies with the permission and any conditions imposed, it ceases to be a planning issue. Your land has a right to light: Wrong A right to light can only be acquired for light passing through a ‘defined aperture’ in a building (e.g. a window). A new construction on a neighbouring property which blocks light to a garden or grounds will not obstruct a right to light unless it also blocks light which passes through a window which benefits from a right to light. My house is 100 years old, it must have a right to light: Wrong A right to light may be acquired in a number of ways, one of which is enjoying the right for 20 years without interruption or permission; known as prescription. So it is true that the longer a building has stood, the more likely it is to have acquired a right to light, but it is by no means a certainty. The window may have been moved during works to the building, or a previous owner may have received some form of permission to receive the light across the neighbouring land, a light obstruction notice may have been registered with the local authority. All of these things may defeat a claim that a right to light exists. If I win in court my neighbour will have to demolish the construction: Wrong If a right to light is obstructed with then the court can make an order that the offending building be demolished/removed to a level where it no longer does this. However, this is a discretionary order and an order to pay damages may be made instead. In making their decisions, the court will take into account a number of factors such as whether the neighbour was made aware of the right before construction, whether there was an unreasonable delay in bringing the claim, the costs of removing the new construction. How can Morr & Co help? If you have any questions or would like any further information on the content of this article, please do not hesitate to contact our Property Disputes team on 01737 854500 or email info@morrlaw.com and a member of our expert team will get back to you. Disclaimer Although correct at the time of publication, the contents of this newsletter/blog are intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute, legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article. Please contact us for the latest legal position. Authored by Kate Cooper Consultant Solicitor Message Tags Insights On this page Related Stories Insights Property Boundaries (Resolution of Disputes) Bill 2019-2020 View more Contact our team today Contact Us
