Can we legally uncover this window?

[rickandmorts]

Just found out from the previous owners of our house (we've lived here 2 years) that there was another window in the darkest room of our house but neighbours asked if it could be bricked up as it overlooked their garden. Previous owners agreed (no idea why 🫣) if neighbours paid for it to bricked up/ replastered inside. Same neighbours still live there. Can we legally open it up again into a window? It would absolutely transform the room if more light could get in but would no doubt piss the neighbours off.

No idea about the legalities, sorry. But an option could be opening it up but with privacy glass?

You could probably open up and replace with opaque glass, or a frosted ‘sticker’.

Of course you can open it up but as suggested use opaque glass.

Most terraces have windows that overlook gardens, I’d laugh if my neighbours asked me to brick up my bedroom window!

If the house was built like that the neighbours moved in knowing the window was there. Ridiculously cheeky of them to ask for it to bricked up!

I’d put window back and have privacy glass installed. And then ignore neighbours if they kick off.

I'd be open to the idea of frosted glass! I just think neighbour is going to kick off especially as they paid for it to be covered up and window fitters would have to go in their garden to fit it which they would say no to (unless they can fit from the inside?).

Yeah I can't believe previous owners agreed to it tbh 😭. The room is SO dark as it's a big room and only has a little window at the front which doesn't let enough light in to the back. Why would you do that??

Privacy/frosted glass won't help as OP will still be able to see out into the neighbours garden, which is the problem (for the neighbours)

OP I'd imagine as long as there wasn't any kind of legal arrangement made at the time of blocking up then there's not much they can do about you reopening it.
However prepare for your relationship with the neighbours to be destroyed.

You can fit from the inside. I had new windows fitted from the inside for a 4th floor flat.

They can absolutely fit from inside, I had a small kitchen window made larger entirely from the inside.

Unless neighbours had a contract written up in blood they’ve got no leg to stand on even if they paid.

Was this mentioned when you bought the property?

You don’t have to get a new window. You can buy privacy film that takes minutes to install and lasts forever. It also removes easily if you decide you want something else.

If there was some form of legally binding agreement then OP should have been made aware of that when buying. So I would guess there wasn't one

I can’t see out of my bathroom window, which has patterned frosted glass in.

That's useful to know thanks @Spirallingdownwards

@Eminybob okay I will ask previous owner next time I see him if there was any sort of legal agreement but it all sounded very informal when he was telling me. Tbh we never see the neighbours as their house is behind ours (very old houses with strange layouts) and they have their own drive/ entrance so don't park on the road with the rest of us plebs. Will see them more when our living room window overlooks their garden though 🤣

Have the neighbours (who wanted window blocked up) got the same type house as you? If so, why have THEY not blocked up THEIR window for YOUR privacy?😊

I would unblock it tomorrow myself and to hell with the consequences. It's not as if you are building an extension on their boundary or half way into their garden etc. I don't understand why window fitters would need to use their garden for access. Maybe their house is side on with yours.

Can you do a picture/diagram for us. (nosey me!).

We would need a new window as the old one was removed years ago and the space bricked up 🤣 unless I've misunderstood your post sorry!

Thanks for this! No never mentioned, previous owner just said it off the cuff the other day. Like oh funny story there used to be another window in the back of that dark gloomy room 🤣

No they have a different style house! Big and detached whereas ours is a small semi. I'll do a diagram as it's impossible to try and describe 🤣

Their agreement was with the previous owners. Unless there was something in writing that you signed when you purchased the house there’s no reason why you can’t reinstate the window .

Oh yeah good point. I was thinking of that 2 way glass that you can see out if but is reflective from the outside.

Honestly I think I’d be petty and not even put a privacy film on. They are the cheekiest of fuckers!!

If it had permission in the first place, you absolutely can reopen it up. Can you access your original plans? Occasionally, if planning permission has been granted for a window overlooking a neighbours garden, conditions can be attached to ensure obscured glazing is used and retained. Window film is insufficient to satisfy a condition due to its lack of permanence.

Is the blocked up window part of the original house or an extension? If it’s original just unblock, if it’s part of an extension I would check the planning agreement first.

Surely it’s not a case of just fitting a new window? You’d need a builder to knock the brick out etc. So perhaps not as easy to just do from inside? May need building regs. Our house is very old and has blocked up windows from decades ago. We’d need planning permission to open them up.

@halava bit of a shit diagram sorry but hopefully explains what I mean

Part of the original house @Twitchingthenightaway