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

All those banging on about deception etc, its part of a selling a house! Baking bread for viewings when you'd never normally bake a loaf ever. Clearing loads of crap out and putting into storage to make rooms look bigger. Painting over stains...whats the difference really. Its down to buyers to do thorough research as well to establish full layout of property/ if any rooms are overlooked/ decide if that will be an issue or not.
But OP feel you definitely should have objected to this not stayed shtum for the sake of "keeping the peace". Stand up for your rights!

I would ask the neighbour to close the window during viewings!

How far away is the window?
Can we have a pic? With all identifying features obscured obviously.

Iknewyouwerewaitingforme
The difference for me is that op is asking neighbours to change something. Not simply presenting her own house in best light.

YABU
You really can't ask your neighbours to close their window. If it was an issue you should have objected at planning stage.

Now it just sounds like you're trying to dupe potential buyers!

How did your ndn get planning permission to put windows in that can see into your bedroom? Planning wouldn't normally allow that even if no-one objected.

Like @JamMakingWannaBe and others I'm surprised they got permission to do this. You should have objected. Anyway,you didn't so it's a fact now.

Don't try and hide it. Buyers will make up their own minds. If it was shut a viewer might well ask if it opens. What would you say? Presumably 'yes'.

Things like tidying up and re-painting walls are things within the buyers control if they did move in though. No-one looks round an empty property and believes it would look like that when they move in for example. It's just about clearing out your clutter to allow a buyer to imagine their things in the house. It's up to the buyer how much stuff they want to put in their house.
If you for example had a neighbour who never, not once, mowed their lawn would you ask them to do it to help sell your house, knowing they will never again do it? You have to draw the line somewhere - making your own home look presentable, clean and tidy is a reasonable thing to do to show it in it's best light. Asking your neighbours to do things differently is just false - it won't be that way when they move in.
I still think OP you are definitely over thinking the viewing though. Try not to worry about it.

YABU

It is a bit deceptive, really, but no worse than what most people do when trying to sell a house. If you're on good terms with the neighbours, I don't think it's so strange to ask them to close the window during viewings.

Depending on how close the two windows are to one another, and how much of your room can be seen from the other window, it might affect whether or not I'd want a house. Even if I believed the seller that the room was currently rarely occupied and the window rarely open, those things can change. The daughter might move back in with her parents or the owners might sell to someone who keeps the window open more often.

JamMakingWannaBe
That's what I thought too.
I'm not sure how they've managed to get planning on ones that open flat and look into another house's bedroom.

i don’t think I would ask. I would be a bit miffed if a neighbour asked me to do this (even more so on a hot day). You say yourself that it hasn’t been an issue for you so hopefully it won’t put buyers off either.

"potentially blighted by an absolute rarity."

Until your neighbours sell to someone who keeps it open all day every day.

Just admit you'd rather they didn't notice the huge downside to buying your house

I wouldn't be happy if I had a window where you can see direct into the room, do the neighbours know you can see into their daughter's room? Can she see into your room?

You didn't object because you didn't want to fall-out but are moving anyway.

This reminded me of selling our house three moves ago.
We had some lovely West Indian neighbours in the other half of our semi who played loud reggae music most Saturday afternoons.
No problem until we had a viewing. One heck of a racket so DH went to ask them if they could turn it down while the viewing took place.
The noise was such that they couldn’t hear what he was saying, they thought he was asking them to turn it up as they knew we usually liked theIr music
Eventually the message got through; peace reigned.
Those viewers bought the house, no doubt the neighbours continued the Saturday jamming,
I can’t see that the OP’s request is different and unreasonable.

Bonkers.

Normal windows, even when open, still provide an aspect of privacy because they restrict the view somewhat.

I am confused by this. I say I have a sash window, the bottom part would still be glassless if pushed up.

Even closed unless they have frosting, nets or blinds the view inside/outside is the same.

One thing I look at is how overlooked the place is. Regardless of the window being frosted or anything else, if I look out and feel overlooked, bye. Just because the window is frosted at the moment doesn't mean it will always be frosted always or never open.

Would it be legal? If after a sale went through and the new buyers start talking to their neighbours, and they mention in passing you asked them to close that window.

Yes in a way we do deceive by baking and show houses, but how many during this also start telling their neighbours to start doing x,y and z? Well some do and they get ignored, unless the locals want to help that move happen a lot quicker!!

OP, check the plans that were submitted to your Council, especially with regard to this window.
If the plans show the window should be non-opening you are definitely within your rights to ask for it to remain closed.
How hot it gets in your neighbour's extension is not your problem.

What about if you told your neighbour that when their new window is open you can see straight into their daughter's bedroom and it makes you uncomfortable? See if it occurs to them to keep it shut for their own privacy. If they're not bothered then you're just going to have to ride it out I'm afraid. Please don't go down the dishonesty path.

Christ some of these comments. 🤣

Op just ask them to close it for viewings for gods sake