Right to Light Explained
James MayallContact
Table of Contents
What is the Right to Light?
The right to light is a type of ‘easement’ – a legal right giving property owners the right to receive light through their buildings’ windows and other ‘apertures’.
For example, the neighbouring property owner is not allowed to substantially interfere with that right by erecting a new building that significantly blocks out your light.
Importantly, the right to light does not benefit the land itself – only buildings erected on it.
Property owners have a legal right to light as set out in the Rights of Light Act 1959.
The property disputes team at Osbornes Solicitors has a successful track record in advising residential and commercial property owners on the extent of their right to light and supporting them in disputes with neighbours.
How do you acquire the right to light?
If you’re a property owner or tenant, you may enjoy an express legal right to light as set out (or referred to) in the registered title at HM Land Registry or:
- The Prescription Act of 1832 gives you the right to sufficient natural light entering your property. The property must have enjoyed 20 years of uninterrupted access to light; and/or
- Under the ‘lost modern grant’ principle. This states that if the light has been used openly and continuously for 20 years, without force and permission, the court will treat it as though a formal deed is lost.
Sometimes, problems can arise that threaten your right to light. For example, the neighbours may have started to build an extension that your fear will interfere with your right to light; or trees or hedges on neighbouring land have started to block the light that has naturally entered your home for many years.
You may find that the neighbours are unaware they are affecting your right to light. Our specialist lawyers will help you defend your rights and take robust, urgent action before it’s too late.
How do you protect your right to light?
Your neighbours are not permitted to build anything that blocks the light from entering your property without your permission. You do not have to tolerate anything that limits the light coming through into your property if falls below an acceptable standard.
If you are a homeowner or commercial property owner, we will assist you in protecting your right to light; or defend a related claim against you.
We also advise property developers, builders, architects, surveyors and other professionals who need specialist advice and representation on right-to-light issues.
How do you make a right to light claim?
Our right to light lawyers will carefully examine the registered title(s) of the property (and the neighbouring land if appropriate) and look at the factual background to the dispute to determine the nature and extent of the right to light.
There’s no guarantee that we can secure or protect the full extent of the light your property has enjoyed over the years. This is because the court’s approach has been to determine how much light you have been left with – and then to consider if you still have sufficient for normal property use.
We may then decide the best course of action is to commission an expert surveyor to determine your actual light loss or the anticipated light reduction. We can then advise you on the best strategy we should adopt.
In serious deprivation of your light, we will not hesitate to formally request the obstruction’s removal. It may become necessary to apply for an injunction prohibiting, for instance, further building work until the dispute is resolved.
We are also experienced in securing compensation for clients whose right to light has been infringed.
Importantly, our lawyers will work hard to achieve a robust and swift resolution to avoid any need for expensive litigation. Most cases can be settled before proceedings become necessary.
How we can help
Osbornes has a highly successful property litigation department and our in-house experts can act quickly to protect your interests, guiding you through this complex area of law in plain English. We are:
- Regulated and monitored by the Solicitors Regulation Authority
- Members of the Property Litigation Association demonstrating best practice and technical expertise in this area
- Rated one of The Times Best Law Firms
- Transparent on fees, providing clear cost advice from the outset.
To speak with one of our solicitors, contact us by:
- Filling in our online enquiry form; or
- Calling us on 020 7485 8811
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“Shilpa is knowledgeable and helpful. She is not afraid to challenge the boundaries for her clients, with excellent results.”
“Shilpa combines the fierce representation of her clients’ best interests with the reasonable and constructive attitude that the Court always looks for in modern litigation. She has invaluable tactical awareness and skilfully handles complex and unusual cases and difficult opponents. As a barrister it is a pleasure to be instructed by her because you so often find that she has already taken the steps that you would have recommended had you been the client’s first point of contact. Her preparation of cases for trial is extremely thorough and helps ensure a positive result before you have set foot in Court.”
“Thank you so much for your help. You were efficient, clear and advised me well in addition to being very pleasant to work with.”
“I would like to sincerely thank you for all the hard work in assisting me to resolve my rather unusual and complicated case. Last 2 years were very stressful and intensive and often only your professional approach and personal realistic but positive attitude helped me not to give up. The uncertainty weight of more than 10 years is off my shoulders thanks to you and your colleagues. Thanks once again for your legal advice, time, and efforts”.
“Mostly I am grateful that Shilpa was understanding about the delays caused by my illnesses, and that she stuck with me and got a good deal for my tenancy. I did feel she fought to protect me and my rights. I appreciate that she kept me informed about progress, sending copies of emails with the other side and consulting me when necessary. I appreciated her eye for detail on legal matters and how she stood firm against a somewhat tricky opposing solicitor.”
“Shilpa was very thorough in the advice she provided and I was immediately put at ease with her involvement. She works hard to achieve the agreed objective and I very much appreciate her help in my matter.”
“Shilpa was very diligent in her attention to detail and her pursuit of all necessary documentation; she showed great determination in the face of many requests by the other party’s solicitor to let certain things slide. She was thorough and professional which gave us a great sense of security.”
Shilpa really helped us take charge of the situation and helped resolve this property dispute. I would not hesitate to recommend her or the team to anyone in a similar situation.
On first meeting Shilpa I was sure that she understood immediately my requirements, and was sympathetic both to my financial restraints and my emotional state. She achieved everything I asked of her and proved to be invaluable, professional and efficient
At every step Shilpa alleviated any concerns and stresses we had. Always fast to respond, always professional and super knowledgeable.
Shilpa has helped us through some key property litigation matters (residential and commercial) since 2014 and has delivered on every occasion. One particular issue had kept us in a state of stress and tension for almost a decade and after getting in touch with Shilpa she was able to help us bring the matter to a peaceful and successful conclusion.
I received a call from Shilpa Mathuradas a couple of hours after filling the enquiry form for a callback. She actively listened to my party wall concerns responding with gentle professionalism, answering my concerns, letting me know what is and is not possible and when best to bring in a solicitor. All this within 10 minutes. Excellent.
If I had another reason to have to seek legal advice again, I wouldn’t hesitate to use Shilpa, and would recommend her to anybody who needed legal advice.
Shilpa was professional, realistic, and unflappable. Shilpa managed to persuade a reluctant witness to come forward to support my case. She obviously knows her subject very well.
I always had full confidence in Shilpa keeping my best interests at heart. I often didn’t understand the legal language, and she would follow this up with a phone call and patiently explain.
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