Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Light pollution from neighbours

36 replies

Everythingnotsavedwillbelost73 · 17/02/2024 09:38

Neighbours have recently built a garden room and put in REALLY BRIGHT garden lights all over the garden - it was previously really dark. They are on all evening most evenings and are affecting DD getting to sleep every night. We didn’t need black out curtains before as it was really dark and now it’s the opposite. I have asked nicely if they could dim the lights but no response - what is reasonable with this kind of thing?
I really feel like it’s light pollution but am i being unreasonable?

We will get some black out curtains but I don’t really feel that that is the point - it’s actually horrible having these lights going all the time.

OP posts:
Redlarge · 17/02/2024 09:49

Pippa12 · 17/02/2024 09:47

I also didn’t want blackout blinds as I like to wake to natural light in the summer (up at 5:15 for work so works better for me!)

Yeah this is a huge change to sleeping habits once you use blackout blinds. I wouldnt like this.

CommentNow · 17/02/2024 09:48

Blackout blinds will be better for summer anyway and consider trees or fencing

Original poster
Everythingnotsavedwillbelost73 · 17/02/2024 09:48

@Mumteedum these are really bright white lights too - not twinkly and pretty at all

OP posts:
Original poster
Everythingnotsavedwillbelost73 · 17/02/2024 09:47

@Lampslights it just feels really antinsocial and selfish to be honest. Why does anyone need to light up their garden every night?

OP posts:
Pippa12 · 17/02/2024 09:47

I also didn’t want blackout blinds as I like to wake to natural light in the summer (up at 5:15 for work so works better for me!)

Mumteedum · 17/02/2024 09:46

People are so fucking selfish no wonder this planet is dying. Totally unnecessary. I've noticed this increase with my neighbours too. Loads of gardens with unnecessary twee lights everywhere or full power led security lights. It's awful. Poor nature (and neighbours)😞

Lampslights · 17/02/2024 09:45

Just get black out blinds, they are allowed lights. Even if you report them it is hugely unlikely any action will be taken.

Pippa12 · 17/02/2024 09:45

This happened to me at our previous house. I sent messages to the husband with no response. I eventually knocked on and he was still meh about it till his wife over heard the conversation! We agreed the lights to be put on a timer and turned off at ‘bedtime’. Never had a problem again and maintained a nice neighbourly relationship. The husband would have been stubborn if his wife hadn’t overheard mind.

Original poster
Everythingnotsavedwillbelost73 · 17/02/2024 09:44

@Soontobe60 its horrible because it’s gone from being really dark to loads of artificial lighting that’s on until 2am some days

OP posts:
Soontobe60 · 17/02/2024 09:42

Their electricity bill must be huge!
I’d ask them to make sure that no lights are facing in your direction. Apart from needing blackout blinds, why is it ‘really horrible’?