Thank you for the welcome.

[henchard]

I have a problem with a neighbour removing my only light source to a kitchen by erecting a fence immediately in front of it. Can you suggest which forum to outline this problem further please?

[des8]

Go ahead here,
Mods will move it if necessary

[henchard]

I own a freehold property with a GF kitchen that opens out over a neighbour’s (I will call him AB) freehold yard that he bought about 3 years ago. AB has now erected a wooden fence so close to my wall that the window will not open outwards as it previously did and has blocked all natural light. As a temporary measure I have reversed the hinges on the window so that it opens inwards, but the main problem is the lack of light. I have tried to discuss this with AB but he is totally unwilling to compromise and seems to be doing this out of spite. AB’s claimed originally that the fence was temporary and would be removed then changed to claiming that the window had been there for less than 20 years.

I originally wrote to AB by recorded delivered but the Post Office returned this marked ‘Not Collected’. AB’s home address is unknown but the address written to is also that of a Company of which he is the sole director of registered at Companies House.

I sought advice of both the police and local authority but both have proved totally useless.

The previous occupier (CD) of AB’s yard, for a period of about 30 years from about 1991, would be able to confirm that the window has existed since approximately 1994 when he first knew the property. I do need to trace CD though. I have a further neighbour (EF) who could confirm the existence of the window since at least 1994.

For my part, when I looked at the property back in the late 90s I was aware there was a window there then though did not buy the property for another 7 years or so.

I cannot see that AB will agree to mediation in any for so it seems to only leave court. What does anybody suggest? All advice will be gratefully received!

[GoodOldBoy]

Is the fence more than 2 metres high? If so, it will require planning permission.

[henchard]

It is not quite.

[des8]

Rights of Light Act 1959 Rights of Light Act 1959 (legislation.gov.uk) and Rights to Light - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) might give you some pointers

[henchard]

Rights of Light Act 1959 Rights of Light Act 1959 (legislation.gov.uk) and Rights to Light - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) might give you some pointers

Thank you Des8. I will explore.