To ask neighbour to shut recently installed Velux windows when we have viewings

[WeveGottaGetTherouxThis]

Our neighbours are relatively new, and recently converted their double story detached garage into an annexe. It sits directly opposite our bedroom and they have had a Velux window installed in there, which when opened, looks directly into our master bedroom (and vice versa, as it is their daughter’s bedroom). We can see all her furniture etc, just to try and give some perspective on what it is like. We have never had a problem with this, as we’re rarely in our bedroom during the day, and when the velux is closed, it is frosted.

However, our house is on the market, we have viewings and the window is wide open as it is warm here. Would we be unreasonable to ask them to close up the window just during the time we have viewings? We have a very polite relationship with them and would stop to chat with one another, if that makes a difference. The daughter is rarely at home, but happens to be presently and I would hate for a prospective buyer to be put off by what is a rare occurrence.

No, you should not ask them to shut the window - YABU

Yes, it is ok to ask them politely to shut the window during viewings - YANBU

Why do they need to close the window during viewings though? For the daughters privacy or because you think it will be off putting to the viewers?

really?? Whybom eseth would you think it is reasonable to ask them this

A buyer isn’t going to not buy your house because a neighbour’s window is open. I think you’re totally overthinking this.

@justanotherneighinparadise because it might be off putting to viewers. They knew that her privacy would be compromised when they added the window, should she choose to open it.

Yep. Ask away. It’s a reasonable request.

I perhaps haven’t described very well how much you can actually see when the window is open and its proximity to our bedroom, but this is why I wanted to ask. I would never want to upset them and am fully prepared to be told that I’m being unreasonable!

What is so offensive about a window open?

No different to many houses, and some people chose frosting or other covering to help prevent others looking in.

If someone mentioned this to me I would laugh. Probab

It would totally put me off buying a house tbh if I thought both the neighbour and I would have direct views into each other’s bedrooms.

No, nothing offensive about an open window. If it was a normal window, we wouldn’t have any issue whatsoever. It basically looks like a gaping hole in their roof when it’s open, given it’s a low height Velux.

I think I’m with Smallsteps - the window would put me off buying even if it were closed.

@PuppyMonkey that’s exactly it; when it’s shut, you’d have no idea that it was a bedroom as it’s frosted, so just looks like it’s a light source in their garage.

I don’t want to deceive any potential buyers, but like I said, it’s a rare occurrence that she’s home AND it’s hot, so it’s just bad timing.

How did they get permission to convert a room and put in windows which look directly onto your bedroom? I think they were unreasonable to do this. In all honesty I would be put off buying a house where the neighbours could see directly in.

@mrshuntgenenotjeremyobviously it was rejected initially, but was approved second time round. We didn’t object, as we are on a shared driveway with them and didn’t want there to be any animosity. Silly of us perhaps

It might be off putting to buyers who don't want to be overlooked yes, but it's a bit dishonest to try and hide that fact from them. I'd be miffed if I were the neighbour and you asked me to close them. I'd also be miffed if I were a buyer and I got a massaged version of the truth about the house. You are BU to ask them to close it.

I think you’re being a bit duplicitous asking them to shut the window because you want to make the viewers think the window doesn’t exist.

I wouldn’t shut it if you asked.

I assume they have planning for the conversion?

So you want to hide where next doors living space is

Not on at all.

I don’t want to deceive any potential buyers,

You really do otherwise this thread would not exist.

This is massive control freakery especially on a warm day and kind of pointless. Surely they can work out they are windows?

It’s simply because, as I said upthread, it is an unfortunate combination of her being home (rare) AND it being hot. The window is closed 99% of the time and because it’s frosted, she cannot see out of it into our bedroom normally.

It appears the majority think it would be unreasonable, but that’s why I wanted to ask.

Except you DO want to deceive them op, as that’s entirely what you’re trying to do. Very unfair for you to trick someone into buying your house, who would otherwise have been put off by this window. And if I were your neighbour and you asked me to keep my window closed while you did house viewings, I would think you utterly batshit

I think if the buyers interest is so tenuous that an open window puts them off the sale would likely do through at some point over something anyway. You could advise them the window is frosted so no overlooked bedroom when window closed, which would be most of the time in winter certainly.
I very keen buyer wouldn't be put off as there would be many other boxes ticked that would outweigh it.
I don't think it's realistic to expect your neighbour to go and close the window every time you text or whatever the arrangement would be to say a buyer is on the way.

Of course you want to deceive them. You don't want them to see that it's a bedroom and has a clear view of your bedroom and vv.

Nobody who loved a house enough to buy it would be put off by this. You’re completely overthinking it. And assuming everyone thinks in exactly the way you do.

If the windows closed 99% of the time, then it shouldn’t be a problem during the majority of viewings

How is it not deceptive?