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.

Would help if I attached it @halava

What a weird layout.

I'm extremely excited about the cellar! But yes, can you imagine 🤣 it's a world of possibilities!!

So can you not see into their garden from your balcony anyway?

Replace and frosted glass is the neighbourly compromise if no binding agreement that wasn't disclosed at sale.

@Vettrianofan I truly love this house and its weird layout!

@ditalini no there is a huge old archway that's been bricked in which goes from the side of our kitchen down the hill so we can't see into their garden. It's hard to explain without showing a pic but we can't see into their garden.

The agreement was made with the previous owner, not with you. You can do what the hell you like with your own house and there is nothing they can do to stop you.

Almost everybody's garden in the entire country is overlooked by somebody's window

what are they doing in the garden that they don't want you to see?

Yes, open it up! They'll be fed up but unless they're wildly unreasonable they'll understand that they didn't make the agreement with you. I wouldn't use frosted glass either as it blocks the light a bit.

I agree with this. Loads of houses have windows overlooking.

I don't think the neighbours have a leg to stand on - the agreement was with the previous owners now they have sold and you own the property I'd imagine you can do what you what to it ( within reason) and the agreement is now null and void.

I've put frosting film on some of my windows eg bathroom. It's just static cling, so will come off easy. I'd suggest clear windows then use the film as you have the option to remove instead of needing to replace the glass if you change your mind. I haven't found an issue with the amount of light that comes through as a result.

Is it high enough that they can’t just put a shed in front of it? There was a thread with a similar situation but from the garden owner’s POV and that was the consensus on that thread!

@Eminybob We have privacy glass (double glazed) in our front door. We can't even see who's on the front step. It just lets light in - nothing more.

Well 8n would reinstate if it makes your house nicer. If any legal agreement had been put in place your Solicitor would have stated it was there.

Our living room is long with a window at one end only and we have a very large mirror at the dark end. The window is a big bay though. (I think you should reopen the old window but this might be an option for a brighter room in the meantime.)

lol I was just thinking exactly that!

Could you fit a horizontal window high in so you can't see out of it but it will let in light? (As I wrote that I could hear the chorus of 'no!').

A bricked up cellar - spooky.

I think you should reinstate YOUR window.

If there were agreements or restrictions wouldn't they have come up in your searches when you bought your house?

I'd be opening up that window!

Unless they put up one way privacy film. I have a large window that overlooks our neighbour's patio. I'm considering taking down the current window covering and putting up the one way privacy film. If you don't want to be overlooked don't buy overlooked properties.

Thanks for the comments everyone. Was chatting to a different neighbour this morning and she was like of course you should uncover the window if there was one there originally. She said she wouldn't even tell them beforehand just do it 🤣

I'd go for it too as long as a fitter can do it without access to their garden.

I can't believe the previous owner blocked it up! Who even asks!

I would go for a privacy film over the bottom half of the window. I just stayed in a house with film on some windows and it was fine. Or you could do glass that you can see out of and they can't see in! That would probably really annoy them.

Same!!!

I would be inclined to install a longer (horizontally speaking) opaque window at a slightly higher level, say 1.6m from the floor. That way u would get more light and no one would be overlooked.

And who is to say you need to install exactly as it was before, u could check with council planning informally about it.

Not sure how they could do it without outside access. Maybe they can fit the frame, then do the sealing around it. Then put the main window in.

Could you put in a light tunnel above instead of the window ? Maybe not possible but an alternative idea.

I don't think they will be happy if they were keen to have it bricked up originally. I would not be surprised if they build a shed or put a large tree in front of it.

There is a right to light and it's calculated using the line that the light in the property creates, so where the light touches.

maybe instead of starting a rumpus with the neighbour could you think about enlarging the window that is already there?