We have a large kitchen diner with 2 windows, one of which looks directly into our neighbours kitchen (left side of the room) (so the blind is always closed), then one on the right side that looks into the garden. The neighbour on the right has just built a conservatory with normal windows all the way round.
Because the conservatory has been built about 3 or 4 foot from the 3foot fence (which belongs to the neighbour and has been erected in our land, not where it should have been), her windows look directly into our kitchen, into the only window that we could open the blinds on. The woman next door owns her house, we rent ours from the council and she hates us for it. She has told me that we are council scum because we don't own our house, so we can't speak to her about anything. She's really nosey and is always looking in now.
Is there not a law about invasion of privacy? The council are not helpful, as usual, so I need to give them the facts! Trouble is, I don't know them yet!
2007-07-24 08:16:38 · 22 answers · asked by keiraebony 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Oh, we would put a 6 foot fence up, but the woman next door has put her concrete posts on our side and the fence is actually on our side of the boundary. It just comes upto the actual line, all the concrete and nasty stuff is on our side. Which is another thing that annoys!
2007-07-24 08:18:19 · update #1
Another thing, in response to some answers, we are planning on buying the house in a few years, which is why the boundary thing was important.
Planning permission wasn't needed according to the councils planning department, since its not very tall (about 7 foot, but windows upto the top)
2007-07-24 08:27:54 · update #2
Oh, to add, I'd put up big evergreen trees but the guy who lived here before (a relation of hers who was too old to live in a house apparently), he had a cherry tree in the middle of the garden that she made him cut down, as it affected her light. Apparently....
The woman really is sour, I've even called the police for her one christmas eve when she was away and some kids were breaking in. Police stopped them. So if it wasn't for me, she would've come home to nothing but mess and lack of possessions! Didn't get any thanks, was just told later by her that I'm always complaining!! Miserable so and so!
2007-07-24 08:36:51 · update #3
I am having problems with my neighbour I own my house so the fact that you are a tenant really don't matter if the person is that way disposed they are the looser. Now you say you wish to purchase your council house you could turn this to your advantage by applying now but get your solicitor to ask the council to prove the boundary before you can complete of course this will take time but you can use it to arrange finance. when you do eventually own your property you will have got it at cheaper price than your neighbour which is what is bugging her. the only qualm I have as a home owner about council houses being sold off is that they are not using the money to build housing for the next generation good luck to you
Did I mention that our neighbour photographs us the police won't do anything they say as she is on her property we must ask her whats she is doing? got a digital camera but if you only point it she can.t tell.
2007-07-24 10:23:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Firstly, sort out this fence business, it should not have been erected on your land, whether you own or rent the house, makes no difference. You can in law, have this fence removed and put up where it should be. Secondly, did the neighbour put up this conservatory himself or did a firm of professionals do it? Either way, check that he had planning permission to do it. If he had planning permission,you should have had a letter from the council about it. This would have given you the chance to object and to see the plans, before building started. If permission was not granted then your neighbour could be made to demolish it, especially bearing in mind the boundary fence etc. Check with your local planning office.
2007-07-24 15:33:47 · answer #2 · answered by Social Science Lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Erecting the fence with posts on your side is a clear act of trespass, as she (or her workmen) must have come onto your land to put it up. You should advise the council about this, as unless something is done at an early stage, that land will become hers and will be lost to the council/yourselves for ever. This is serious enough, surely, for them to take action?
I think that you need to raise the blind of the window overlooking your neighbour's kitchen. Her response will probably be to lower hers. If not, then you can have a good time looking in at her. If she stares at you while you are eating, you can wave at her. She won't like it! She seems to be getting her own way in everything in your little battle. She knows that her nosy behaviour is getting to you. Fight back!
By the way, is there any chance of your being able to fit one way glass in your kitchen windows so that you can see out but she can't see in?
2007-07-24 16:12:26 · answer #3 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you can prove that the building is encroaching on land which you pay rent to the council for then you could legally have it removed. You would have to see the deeds of the property to see exactly where the boundary line is and if this building is encroaching on your land then you can insist that the council have it removed. You need to approach the council and make sure, and insist they follow the matter up, no good you dealing with this person. Even though you might be council tenants you pay your rent and the rent was for the house and land obviously and that is by contract with them, they can't just go and take a piece of it away and give it to someone else they would be in breach of their contract. You need to speak to Citizens Advice and relay to them your problem. As far as them looking in your window well there is not a lot you can do about that as they are not deliberately invading your privacy. But certainly you could do something about the building being on your land.
2007-07-24 15:27:47 · answer #4 · answered by Dr Paul D 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This lady sure knows how to win friends and influence people Alternative. You are Council scum remember, Put up a blind with a really horrible tacky picture on it. and hope she does not like it and will draw her blinds. If she does like it you have to go down the Council planning route. Hang some of those horrible chimes up ans let the quiet noise drive her mad.
2007-07-24 15:30:51 · answer #5 · answered by Scouse 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should go straight to your council offices and complain, they shouldn't be allowed to do this and probably don't have planning permission. Your council should be able to make them take it down. You're neighbour was right about the tree, if the shadow infringes her right to light, she can have you chop it down. But if the tree is established and has been there 25 years, it would be between you and your neighbour to work out.
2007-07-24 15:22:10 · answer #6 · answered by Sparky 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If her structure is encroaching on your property, or rather the council's property, legal action can be taken just from that , but would have to be initiated by the council that owns the property that you rent. Do you have a homeowners association? If so, contact them and they may be able to help. Otherwise, either go buy window tint, or a window mural, or just have fun with her and walk around the house nude. I would do the latter. She probably wouldn't be looking that much longer after she sees that :)
2007-07-24 15:25:59 · answer #7 · answered by 78 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
If your neighbour was given planning permission, then your argument should be with the local council.
Did you not receive notice from the council that your neighbour had applied for planning permission to build it?
2007-07-25 05:23:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you have an eejit stalker type, living next to you, You have to decide whether you want to go through a constant battle with this weirdo or cut your losses and move away to a nice neighbourhood!! If you do move, you can have a laugh at the poor punters who move in after you, they are sure to get the same treatment!!!
2007-07-24 15:36:52 · answer #9 · answered by Angela M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like yous are at war, LOL.. well if they put stuff on your land, then we know what we can do, we could tell them to remove it, or just sue them,, for your windows, the easy and cheapest thing is what i done for my bathroom, as my house looks right in the other houses windows,, i hate it, You know the old plastic sheets they use in office lighting the plastic but you cant see threw it,, its cheap and works well, it lets light in and its private 100%, i know it sounds odd but darn it works, i cut it down to fit each pane of glass, and caulk it around the glass so it will stay,, really it works well and looks ok too.. sorry you have to deal with this house problem, but you arent alone... good luck
2007-07-24 15:27:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋