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

Well yes it might but that is part of the reality of the house they will be buying to its slightly unfair to deliberately try to hide it from people viewing isn't it?

For example my father is disabled so could potentially spend lots of time in the bedroom if he bought it. It doesn't bother you because you don't use it much but for someone like him it would be incredibly annoying.

To be honest it's nothing to do with me so ask if you want I'm just pointing out that there could potentially be issues

I'd be a bit pissed off if I bought a house and after moving in, realised that the velux window next door wasn't a light source for the garage but someone's bedroom, with a direct view into my own bedroom.

@WhatKatyDidNxt yes of course, but when it’s open, it looks like there is literally no glass there. Normal windows, even when open, still provide an aspect of privacy because they restrict the view somewhat. On the rare occasion their Velux is open, lies completely flat and so nothing is obscured whatsoever. Normally, it is closed and frosted, so no view in or out.

@cuntryclub yes, fair enough. What I should have said is that I would prefer it if the window was closed (as it is 99% of the time), as that is actually representative of reality. It is the exception that it is currently open.

It would be deceiving the buyers. Tell them that she’s hardly ever in her bedroom and that the window goes opaque when shut, but let them make their own minds up.

I don't think it's unreasonable to ask, but I think unreasonable not to let potential buyer know the reality. You both are fine with the situation but new people might not. And it may destroy their joy of moving to a new house.

I voted that you could ask, but I suppose in the long term neighbour could jokingly tell new buyer you asked and that would make you look bad.
I don't think the window should have been agreed. Can you put up a blind that lets the light in but hides the view.

Thank you for your help, everyone. It’s been useful to see it from the perspective of others, that I’m likely overthinking it and that the neighbour would think I’m mad!

People aren't stupid OP. They will see the window and know that when it's open it will be a view into the room.

Just leave it.

It might be a rare occurrence based on the people who live there now, but what if they were to move? OP I do understand your frustration but asking them to close it isn't the right solution. It might be unfortunate timing but the reality is that privacy is compromised when that window is open and I think it's disingenuous to try and hide that from a potential buyer.
FWIW I really think people overthink the tiny things when selling. There are masses of things we didn't notice about our house until we moved in. Buyers don't expect places to be perfect but they do expect to know what they're moving in to.

All house sellers 'deceive' buyers to some extent - they want to show the house in its best possible light! When I bought my house the seller didn't exactly highlight the fact that the shed was rotten and full of giant spiders or that she'd botched the garden. Obviously a seller can't mislead about structural issues but no one draws attention to annoying quirks, surely?

Don't bring it up unless asked. They might not notice or care but you could make it sound like a bigger deal than it actually is.

YABU on two levels. It's UR to ask your neighbours to curb their life in the hope of helping you to sell. And it's UR to try to hide from potential purchasers that they will be able to see into the neighbour's DD's bedroom.
Fwiw I don't think it would hinder a sale but if it would then you're better to know that rather than trying to hide it and get a sale under false circumstances.

I’d be a bit put out if I was the daughter in my bedroom and strangers were peering in my room! What on Earth were they thinking, having an opening window there, unless it’s a fire escape I suppose?

What do you do in the summer nights when you are in your bedroom with the window open and so is the neighbour's daughter? Do you have eye to eye contact between houses? Do you have to turn all the lights off and be really quiet to have sex?

YABU to have not objected to the planning application on basic privacy grounds.

Despicable OP

So you would prefer them closed so your viewers do not note the view of both sets of houses ?
You are happy to deceive them basically.

"I don’t want to deceive any potential buyers"

Yes you do! That's exactly what you want to do so own it 😂

If it’s closed 99% of the time then surely the chances of it being open at the exact time you have a viewing are fairly remote anyway?

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
Exactly this.
You say it is closed 99% of the time, so it won't be an issue anyway... except if in reality it is less than that.

What if you had really annoying, very noisy neighbours, wouldn't you have viewings at a time you know it will be quiet? Isn't that the same thing? People move all the time because their neighbours are awful, but i am quite sure they don't tell potential buyers that. As a pp said, maybe put a blind on the window to make it less invasive.

[quote WeveGottaGetTherouxThis]@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.[/quote]
Well, yes, you are completely wishing to deceive any potential buyers!

You want potential buyers to be unaware that there is a bedroom window directly across from what would be their bedroom window! You want them to think it is just a light source for their garage!

If that’s not deception what is??? YABVVVU.

Really surprised they were allowed to put a velux & use it as a bedroom if it's looking into your windows.

I accepted the comment that a PP had made that I’m trying to be deceitful, and said I should have reworded it to say I would prefer it if the window were closed, as it is most of the time.

We have viewings today and the window is open, hence my post. The daughter came back this week, but hasn’t been at home since January, so it really is just unfortunate timing.

As others have said, we just want our property to be seen in the best and most representative light, not to be potentially blighted by an absolute rarity.

I'm surprised by the number of people claiming you're being deceptive.

I've seen countless "selling homes" programmes that advocate removing extra furniture and items from your home before viewings and the house pictures as you don't want your house to appear cluttered or too small to potential buyers..... Well isn't that deceptive as you're not showing how an actual families worth of stuff fits into a house?! Well no as they have eyes and have a tape measure so by clearing out your clutter you're presenting it in its best light.

How many people would perhaps stick a fresh coat of paint on the walls..... Maybe painting over a little bit that looks like it might be damp or have a spot of mould on... Again just showing the house to its best.

Your toilet makes a weird noise when it flushes, do you tell the potential buyers? Do you Heck! The potential buyer is welcome to flush each of the toilets but most won't.

In this case the buyer has eyes, can see there is a window there and can ask "what's that"..... As long as you wouldn't lie to them then I see no harm in asking your neighbour to shut the window for viewings. I wpipd if you asked and I'd understand why.

Being able to see into the room and vice versa to the extent your saying would very much put me off a house if I were to assume the window was often open.

If the window is open just say it goes opaque when closed and is only ever open on hot days.

@NoIDontWatchLoveIsland

Really surprised they were allowed to put a velux & use it as a bedroom if it's looking into your windows.

This ^^ New roof lights or skylights in side elevation roof slope must be obscure-glazed and either non opening or more than 1.7 metres above the floor level.

They should NOT be able to look into your property.