Your Neighbour provides clear, independent rights of light advice for homeowners and groups of neighbours. We can help you make sense of the technical information, assess the potential impact and consider what to do next.
What are rights of light?
A right to light is a legal right that can, in certain circumstances, protect natural light reaching a window or other qualifying opening. Whether you have a right to light depends on your property and what’s being proposed nearby. A rights of light surveyor can assess how your light may be affected, while legal advice may clarify where you stand.
What does a rights of light surveyor do?
A rights of light surveyor looks at how a proposed development could affect the light coming into your home. We look at the developer’s information and public records, and carry out our own surveys to understand the potential loss of light and what it may mean for you.
Where appropriate, we can also calculate potential compensation and negotiate with the developer on your behalf, including the release of rights of light. We have extensive experience dealing with major developments and complex rights of light issues.
Do I have a right to light?
A right to light can arise in different ways, including through long use or a legal agreement. The 20-year rule may be relevant, but simply living in a property for 20 years doesn’t mean you automatically have a right. The history of your property, any legal documents and the proposed development can all come into play.
Received a rights of light letter?
A letter from a developer or their surveyor can be confusing, particularly if it refers to your legal rights, a proposed agreement or compensation. Before responding or accepting anything, it can be helpful to establish what the letter is asking, whether it identifies a potential impact and whether any deadlines apply.
Received a letter?
Send it to us, and we’ll help you make sense of it. Get in touch to discuss your situation →
What can I do if a development could affect my light?
What happens next will depend on the development and your situation. You may need to look at what’s being proposed, check the potential impact on light reaching your windows, consider planning-related daylight and sunlight issues and explore options such as raising concerns, discussing changes, negotiating or seeking legal advice. It can be helpful to get specialist advice on what applies to you.
Could I receive rights of light compensation?
Compensation may be available in some circumstances where a legal right to light has been infringed, but it isn’t automatic whenever a property receives less natural light. The legal position, technical impact and circumstances of the case will need to be considered. Legal advice may be needed alongside technical and valuation advice.
Does planning permission override a right to light?
Planning permission and rights of light are separate matters. Planning permission doesn’t remove a private right to light, while having a right to light doesn’t necessarily prevent a development from going ahead. If planning permission has been granted, there may still be separate questions about the development’s impact on private rights.
How Your Neighbour can help
We provide practical, expert guidance, backed by in-house technical expertise, to help homeowners and groups make sense of rights of light issues.
- Reviewing development proposals, reports and correspondence
- Reviewing information from public records
- Assessing whether a rights of light assessment may be appropriate
- Carrying out measured surveys and collecting site data
- Making sense of technical reports and assessing potential loss of light to relevant windows
- Calculating potential compensation where appropriate
- Identifying key questions, helping groups of neighbours consider shared concerns and identifying where further legal advice may be needed
- Negotiating settlements where appropriate
Our role is to bring together the technical assessment and practical advice needed to help you explore your options.
Rights of light FAQs
What is the 20-year rule for the right to light?
A right to light can sometimes be acquired through 20 years of qualifying uninterrupted enjoyment under the Prescription Act 1832. The circumstances matter, so the 20-year period alone doesn’t establish that a right exists.
Can I claim compensation for loss of light?
Compensation may be a possible remedy where a legal right to light has been infringed, but it’s not guaranteed. The legal and technical circumstances need to be considered.
What if several neighbours are affected?
Neighbours can seek advice together to review a development, identify shared concerns and consider a coordinated approach. Individual properties may still have different circumstances.
I’m concerned about loss of light — can you help?
You don’t need to know whether you have a legal right to light before contacting us. Tell us what’s happening and share any relevant letters or reports.
Can my neighbour block my light?
Your neighbour may be able to build or extend, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they can interfere with an established right to light. Planning permission doesn’t automatically override it.