Neighbours window?

[Paul.J]

The property next door to us is been renovated after been empty for a few years.Good news as it was an eye sore.
It is a semi detached property not joined to ours and it drops down about 4' and there is only about a 30" gap between ours and theirs.The house is also set further back than ours,so not in line.
Problem is they have replaced a side window,which had obscured glass in,that overlooks our garden, kitchen and to some extent our living room,and they have put a clear glass unit in.
We can see clearly onto the landing and two of the upstairs rooms.
Not knowing building regs is this acceptable as i can't see having a word with them would help as i know they are on a tight budget??

 

[Phil Pascoe]

When they realise they could be watched , they'll put curtains up, if it worries them.

 

[marcros]

leave a tripod set up on your landing. they will soon change the glass.

 

[Dusty]

Not to sure of the exact wording but it is a privacy issue . It is covered very strictly in the building regs . If the house originaly had obscured then chances are it still must .

There are all sorts of criteria , unfortunately your garden privacy may not affect it but if they can see in to your property from certain angles and at set distances then it must have it .

Just give building control a quick call , they are normaly very good at dealing with this as having new windows will fall under building regs , but may not be inspected by B/C if the contractor is FENSA registered but it should still be carried out respectively .

Kind regards sam

 

[Phil Pascoe]

My kitchen window and my neighbour's face each other - she has put curtains up. I've no interest whatsoever in the contents of her kitchen or a fat sixty year old washing the dishes, so it matters little to me. My window has no curtains - I don't worry at all that she might catch a glimpse of me, fully dressed, filling the kettle.
Whose problem is it? It's reminiscent of the old joke about the woman who complained that she could see her neighbours having sex every morning - when the council inspector said she couldn't, she said she could if she took her binoculars and stepladder to the back bedroom.

 

[Fishandchips]

+1 for the tripod idea

 

[CHJ]

Paul, I suspect that had it been a new build objections to you being overlooked could have resulted in the original planning permission having a requirement for obscured glass.

As it is, I suspect one of the previous owners fitted obscure glass to improve their own privacy, if the new owners do not have a problem with their privacy then I suspect you have to live with it unless they deliberately cause embarrassment with 'public nudity'.

 

[bugbear]

I'm sure our lovely government will soon do away with all this building regulation red tape.

BugBear

 

[Paul.J]

Thanks for the replies folks,camera and tripod set :lol:
I think they took the old original metal casement out Chas,which we had when we first moved in and have replaced that with DG unit with obscured glass.
I suppose its just down to common courtesy again,and seeing as how the builder/owner isn't going to live there,its gonna be rented out by all accounts, couldn't give a monkeys??

 

[ColeyS1]

Have a word with the builder/owner and mention you're not keen on the new glass

 

[Vic Perrin]

Paul.
Give Birmingham City Council a ring and ask to speak to a Building Control Officer. They are normally very helpfull and will explain all the legalities to you.

 

[Paul.J]

Thanks both.
I don't wanna get into a full blown dispute over this with the owner,unless it really does cause us problems with whoever moves in,but would just like to know if i was within my rights to ask him to change it to obscured glass,before i do ask??
So a call to the local council it might be,so long as they don't ask for too many details?

 

[Vic Perrin]

Hi Paul,
The LA wont want too much detail you are not making a complaint just enquiring about your rights.

 

[AndyT]

From what I've read about disputes between neighbours, once it becomes a question of law, you've both lost.

Whatever the law on this matter, as a reasonable adult, you are free to express your opinions and ask them to change the glass /add obscuring film/ hang curtains. You might be able to persuade them to do something, if they are reasonable people. If it matters a lot to you, you could offer to help pay. (Glaziers are cheaper than lawyers!)

But if they refuse when asked nicely, they will probably not react well to being told that they have to do something (if that is what the law says). The harder you push some people, the harder they push back.

 

[SVB]

You (they) can easily apply a frosting film for minimal cost with very little effect on natural light transmission so there should be a easy / cheap solution provided they are of a mind to listen.

 

[bugbear]

Glaziers are cheaper than lawyers.

An amusing, but plausibly helpful point.

BugBear