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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for advice about right to privacy from our neighbours

138 replies

Colourofspring · 04/05/2024 14:12

I have posted about this before but the situation has got worse. We live in terraced housing with small back yards & our neighbour has built a massive garden room that fills the whole back yard pretty much and looks directly into my 12 year old daughters bedroom.

The neighbours have teenage boys and yesterday (and for the last few weekends) there have been large groups of teenage boys in the garden room looking straight into DD’s bedroom so she has to sit with her curtains drawn all the time. I feel like it’s not on on multiple accounts - it’s also really noisy and impossible to sit in our back yard quietly too but I am more bothered about how much of an invasion of privacy it is for my DD.

Aibu? Anyone got any advice? Am feeling pretty pissed off and resentful about it to be honest - I feel like our peace and privacy is being invaded. It’s really tricky in terraces anyway as it’s such a small space!’

OP posts:
JaneyBlueEyes · 06/05/2024 09:26

Colourofspring · 04/05/2024 14:18

Their yard is kind of raised and they built they room so it looks directly into Dads bedroom - it’s hard to explain without a photo but we have tiny yards and their wall is low. I’d send a picture if it wasn’t so revealing of who I am!!!

Show quote history

So would they have been able to see into your DD bedroom anyway without the garden room?

68User · 06/05/2024 09:26

I would check with your Council which I believe you can do anonymously. We had a room built a while ago to use as a home office. Our garden slopes down away from the house and it’s right at the end. We chatted to immediate neighbours beforehand but someone in the road did report it to Council. They came and inspected it and it was all within PD. We have lots of trees and shrubs that keep our privacy but also our neighbours privacy. If it is under PD you could add higher fencing and fast growing shrubs to keep your garden and house more private.

RareTulipsDisplay · 06/05/2024 09:22

Colourofspring · 04/05/2024 14:19

They made a big deal of it being ‘permitted development’ but I don’t think it is to be honest

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Even if it is permitted development I think you'll find that there are rules about windows overlooking neighbours and distance from boundaries. A phone call or email to the planning department with photos might help you to get advice.

JaneyBlueEyes · 06/05/2024 09:21

OP, we really need a diagram! I know it’s not a parking thread but still….

I was in B&Q yesterday (along with about 50% of the population) and they do some great screening fences that don’t need to be permanently installed. You can also buy screening plants such as bamboo in pots, if you have room.

Batteredcodmushypeasandafalafal · 06/05/2024 08:38

Have a look into party wall law too, especially if it fills their yard.

amc8583 · 06/05/2024 01:52

WearyAuldWumman · 05/05/2024 11:45

I've been told that nowadays, they only come out at the end of the build for a one-storey extension. (That's what happened with us.) Might be the same for a garden room?

Plus, we don't know that they actually applied for permission. ETA I mean they wouldn't put a stop to a build that they were unaware of.

Edited
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We are building a single story extension and so far the council have been out 4 times. Three times to check at particular points of the build which they asked to come and once because the neighbours have complained because she thinks " it's too big."
Everything is well above board but they have been extremely thorough.

fashionqueen0123 · 05/05/2024 22:37

Seeline · 05/05/2024 22:14

The portal will only show if a certificate of Lawfulness has been granted. You can build things as of without having a certificate.

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😩

Would be good to see a photo of it.

If the fences are low, maybe the OP should just put up a standard one.

Genevieva · 05/05/2024 22:17

Colourofspring · 04/05/2024 14:18

Their yard is kind of raised and they built they room so it looks directly into Dads bedroom - it’s hard to explain without a photo but we have tiny yards and their wall is low. I’d send a picture if it wasn’t so revealing of who I am!!!

Show quote history

Is the ground level higher or have they raised it artificially. If they have effective created a first floor extension then this is not permitted development. I would contact the council to ask for advice.

Seeline · 05/05/2024 22:15

Jobsharenightmare · 05/05/2024 20:38

It's not permitted development if it looks into a bedroom.

This is not true at all.

Seeline · 05/05/2024 22:14

fashionqueen0123 · 05/05/2024 19:52

Have you actually looked up the address on the council planning website?
It shows you things built under permitted development. Our extension was. But we still needed building control checks etc

The portal will only show if a certificate of Lawfulness has been granted. You can build things as of without having a certificate.

amc8583 · 05/05/2024 22:11

Seeline · 05/05/2024 10:07

That's how it should work, but in reality, most planning departments are so short staffed, they don't have the ability to check the applications for Building Regs to see if they need PP.

OP just report it to the planning enforcement team - they will investigate.

Show quote history

Gosh I thought councils were really hot on this kind of stuff.

We have very recently had work done and the neighbours complained about the work. The council were down like a shot without any warning within the day. Everything was fine and above board so no issues. This should reassure that any complaints then councils do come and check.

pineapplesundae · 05/05/2024 21:47

Can you install the windows where you can see out but no one can see in?

OhMaria2 · 05/05/2024 21:16

Colourofspring · 04/05/2024 14:12

I have posted about this before but the situation has got worse. We live in terraced housing with small back yards & our neighbour has built a massive garden room that fills the whole back yard pretty much and looks directly into my 12 year old daughters bedroom.

The neighbours have teenage boys and yesterday (and for the last few weekends) there have been large groups of teenage boys in the garden room looking straight into DD’s bedroom so she has to sit with her curtains drawn all the time. I feel like it’s not on on multiple accounts - it’s also really noisy and impossible to sit in our back yard quietly too but I am more bothered about how much of an invasion of privacy it is for my DD.

Aibu? Anyone got any advice? Am feeling pretty pissed off and resentful about it to be honest - I feel like our peace and privacy is being invaded. It’s really tricky in terraces anyway as it’s such a small space!’

A well placed leylandii?

Amsterdamming · 05/05/2024 21:07

Colourofspring · 04/05/2024 14:12

I have posted about this before but the situation has got worse. We live in terraced housing with small back yards & our neighbour has built a massive garden room that fills the whole back yard pretty much and looks directly into my 12 year old daughters bedroom.

The neighbours have teenage boys and yesterday (and for the last few weekends) there have been large groups of teenage boys in the garden room looking straight into DD’s bedroom so she has to sit with her curtains drawn all the time. I feel like it’s not on on multiple accounts - it’s also really noisy and impossible to sit in our back yard quietly too but I am more bothered about how much of an invasion of privacy it is for my DD.

Aibu? Anyone got any advice? Am feeling pretty pissed off and resentful about it to be honest - I feel like our peace and privacy is being invaded. It’s really tricky in terraces anyway as it’s such a small space!’

You just need that reflective stuff on her windows. She can see out but they can't see in. Sorted.

INeedToClingToSomething · 05/05/2024 21:06

If you don't think it's permitted development you can complain to planning and they'll look into it.

Jobsharenightmare · 05/05/2024 20:38

It's not permitted development if it looks into a bedroom.

mitogoshi · 05/05/2024 20:27

Taller fence?

Thisisgoingtobefun · 05/05/2024 20:24

Google Japanese Privet Pleached Tree for Privacy Screening

Expensive but will block out your neighbours x

SpeedwellBlue · 05/05/2024 20:22

My dc have got windows that come down low, so they have frosted film on the lower panes and blinds for night time. I've got voiles on the lower pane (and curtains for night time)

StressedOutButProudMama · 05/05/2024 20:21

You can buy privacy film cheaply online to install on windows so she can see.out but they cant see in.

CombatBarbie · 05/05/2024 20:20

Colourofspring · 04/05/2024 14:16

No they didn’t get planning permission- all done under ‘permitted development’

Show quote history

In our area, if if takes up more than 50% of the garden, it's not allowed.

I would take pics and send to planning dept at the council. From what you've described it very much would not be permitted.

PearlyShamps · 05/05/2024 19:52

If they can see into the window from the ground level garden room, am I right in thinking that if they were sitting in the garden in the same spot (with no garden room there) - they'd also be able to see into the window?

fashionqueen0123 · 05/05/2024 19:52

Have you actually looked up the address on the council planning website?
It shows you things built under permitted development. Our extension was. But we still needed building control checks etc

MarvellousMonsters · 05/05/2024 19:32

This is what net/voile curtains are for. It's hardly an un-fixable problem.

Overshareswhendrunk · 05/05/2024 18:43

Contact the planning enforcement team at your local council. They should investigate whether it falls within the rules for permitted development, which sounds unlikely from what you have said.

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