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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbour's effing security light 😡

34 replies

QueenArseClangers · 17/04/2016 17:33

Neighbour whose house backs onto our back garden has put up a security light.
The problem being is that it's about ten million watts and shines directly into our windows including bedrooms.
It seems to be on a sensor but the sensor obviously goes off if an owl farts three streets away so is on most of the night.
Neighbour has form for being a tad difficult so would like to know where I stand legally before knocking on his door and having a chat.
Suppose we could always take the advantage and reenact an escape from Colditz in our back garden. A bit like Shakespeare in the Park. But shit and filled with resentment and tired kids with mole like eyes Confused

OP posts:
TheBouquets · 17/04/2016 17:41

Is this the only security light in your area? Maybe something has worried or upset the neighbour and they feel a bit more secure with the light which comes on by movement. I don't think there is anything illegal about these lights but I do think a bit of come and go on each side might be the best way forward. I hate to be without my light and I don't care what the neighbours think. Most people have them here anyway.

RaeSkywalker · 17/04/2016 17:43

Watching with interest- we have a very similar issue. We've just installed black out curtains!

SabineUndine · 17/04/2016 17:49

My neighbour is toxic and her bathroom light shines into my bedroom. I got blackout curtains because of it.

Twitterqueen · 17/04/2016 17:49

The Bouquets "I don't care what the neighbours think."
Great. very neighbourly of you to be so totally inconsiderate and uncaring about the annoyance you may be causing others.

They are a PITA when they are over-bright, over-sensitive and incorrectly positioned.

Andrewofgg · 17/04/2016 17:51

Have you got or can you get their landline number?

If yes: when it goes on in the wee small hours ring up and act concerned. Every single time.

They will soon turn it down to a less sensitive setting.

This is also a satisfyingly evil solution!

WhereYouLeftIt · 17/04/2016 18:03

www.gov.uk/guidance/artificial-light-nuisances-how-councils-deal-with-complaints

Looks like if it is "unreasonably and substantially interfere with the use or enjoyment of a home" then they could end up served with an abatement order. It would be worth looking up your local council's website, Environmental Protection Team.

Although I must say I like Andrew's solution Grin.

Collaborate · 17/04/2016 18:04

This is one of those rare instances on Mn - where I can say that you should complain to the council, and I'd be correct(!)

take a look at this: www.gov.uk/guidance/artificial-light-nuisances-how-councils-deal-with-complaints

It may well be a statutory nuisance, and the LA can serve an abatement notice.

I do like however Andrewofgg's suggestion.

Collaborate · 17/04/2016 18:04

Bloody hell. Snap! WhereYouLeftit

DoreenLethal · 17/04/2016 18:04

I definitely think you should call concerned every time it goes on.

iMatter · 17/04/2016 18:07

I agree. Every time it goes on phone them and tell them there's an axe murderer in their garden.

FuckSanta · 17/04/2016 18:07

Have had this twice (2 different neighbours, neither of whom realised that their lights were angles so far upwards). Knocked door, explained problem, asked nicely if they could angle them down a bit. Both lights adjusted the same day. Easy.

WhereYouLeftIt · 17/04/2016 18:07

Grin Grin Collaborate

It does look as if we lived by your name!

Princesspeach1980 · 17/04/2016 18:11

We had a neighbour knock at our door to say our light shone into their bedroom. We had a new puppy at the time so we were in the garden at all hours letting him out to pee, and had no idea we were floodlighting out poor neighbours bedroom! Blush. I was able to angle it towards the ground and there were no issues after that, so I would just ask them as it isn't a massive thing you're asking them to do.

Princesspeach1980 · 17/04/2016 18:12

I actually opened this thread to make sure it wasn't my neighbour Grin

Original poster
QueenArseClangers · 17/04/2016 18:17

Ha ha! I'd LOVE to do Andrew's solution!
Neighbour is a chap in his 50s/60s who lives on his own after inheriting his dad's house. Apparently he has many properties he lets out and doesn't seem to be home that often.
The issues we've had before with him include looking outside one day to discover him and his mate had lifted all the fence panels out to fiddle around with them/paint to concrete (?). I wouldn't have minded but we have small children and our dog was a puppy at the time who was prone to bouts of running off and he didn't even warn us that the garden would not be secure.
He also has a ridiculously loud MASSIVE petrol lawnmower which he loves getting out for a baz round his 2m square lawn either at 8am on a Sunday or a schoolday evening.
Know that's not unlawful just fucking inconsiderate.
He also has a habit of sunbathing in his budgie smugglers 2 inches from our fence. The same fence that is a lattice one. That he won't 'let' us replace with a proper one unless it has a curve at the top Confused

At least he's not like the neighbour next door whose leylandii trees probably can tickle Tim Peake's toes whilst simultaneously crushing our roof. And the various smack addled burglars she has to stay who ensure the fuzz are round at all hours....

Apart from them we have amazing neighbours! The rest are smashing folk full of kindness Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
QueenArseClangers · 17/04/2016 18:21

Thanks for the links! Going to call round tomorrow to have a friendly chat or leave a beautifully calligraphic scroll sealed with wax voicing my concerns. Read out by a Town Crier.

OP posts:
heron98 · 17/04/2016 18:23

The house behind ours is a BnB. They have their kitchen light on 24 hours a day. Our bedroom is downstairs and it shines straight through our window. I can actually read in bed at night without the lamp! I have got used to it now.

TheBouquets · 18/04/2016 01:03

Twitterqueen - Most of my neighbours have security lights so why should I not? If you think that makes me unneighbourly you should meet my neighbours. I have had many houses over the years and I have never met anything like what is in my current street. On the other hand I am still in contact with the neighbours from my second house.

I would be neighbourly to decent people. I regret having to leave my previous home due to health issues and stairs. My neighbours want me back there but I just cant manage the logistics or I would be back in a flash.
You have made an assumption without knowing any single fact about what is going on around me! Very judgemental and very wrong

EverySongbirdSays · 18/04/2016 01:18

OOO i have one of these! It's a house that backs on to mine, and mine is a bungalow so it comes straight in my bedroom window every time a cat walks past. I don't know why they bother as surely they too are pissed off by Blackpool Illuminations every time a cat comes past. I didn't know there was anything I could do!?

Bogeyface · 18/04/2016 01:37

He also has a habit of sunbathing in his budgie smugglers 2 inches from our fence. The same fence that is a lattice one. That he won't 'let' us replace with a proper one unless it has a curve at the top

If you own the fence then he cant stop you changing it for anything. And if you dont then he cant stop you putting up your own fence, right next to his but on your own property, in any sodding shape and colour that you choose.

MattDillonsPants · 18/04/2016 01:39

If it's his fence, just cover your side with some screening. Get blackout blinds too.

HidingUnderARock · 18/04/2016 02:00

This made me remember www.27bslash6.com/halogen.html

Though probs you should just ask him first ;)

Twitterqueen · 18/04/2016 08:55

Bouquets

You said that you didn't care about your neighbours. You said that. not me.
So your comments You have made an assumption without knowing any single fact about what is going on around me! Very judgemental and very wrong

is more than a bit silly. All I said was that is uneighbourly and inconsiderate to not care about your neighbours. Think about it and have a Biscuit.

TheMaddHugger · 18/04/2016 10:07

'He also has a habit of sunbathing in his budgie smugglers 2 inches from our fence. The same fence that is a lattice one. That he won't 'let' us replace with a proper one unless it has a curve at the top'

put some shade cloth or cardboard against it. He can't stop you, as long as you don't attach it too the actual fence. get the kiddies to paint a mural on the cardboard, make it fun

mummymeister · 18/04/2016 10:15

In the first instance I would get them around to see the effect on your property as they might be completely unaware. if you don't think that they are reasonable enough people to speak to and have round then I would go and speak to them personally. neighbour disputes are a nightmare and if you can resolve them without recourse to env health then this is so much the better course of action.

if after you have spoken to them nothing changes, then speak to env health. this could well be a statutory nuisance and if it is action can be taken. but, if you go down this route it never goes well when the legal letters start dropping through neighbours doors so exhaust every other avenue first (I am an ex eho - lots of experience with neighbour nuisance)

I did love the phoning up suggestion!! surely the point of a security light is that when it goes off, it alerts you to a problem and you go out and look at it?

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