To ask for advice about right to privacy from our neighbours

[Colourofspring]

I have posted about this before but the situation has got worse. We live in terraced housing with small back yards & our neighbour has built a massive garden room that fills the whole back yard pretty much and looks directly into my 12 year old daughters bedroom.

The neighbours have teenage boys and yesterday (and for the last few weekends) there have been large groups of teenage boys in the garden room looking straight into DD’s bedroom so she has to sit with her curtains drawn all the time. I feel like it’s not on on multiple accounts - it’s also really noisy and impossible to sit in our back yard quietly too but I am more bothered about how much of an invasion of privacy it is for my DD.

Aibu? Anyone got any advice? Am feeling pretty pissed off and resentful about it to be honest - I feel like our peace and privacy is being invaded. It’s really tricky in terraces anyway as it’s such a small space!’

As I have said - several times- I am talking about permitted development rights. Because the issue was did the building/extension require PP.
As I have also said, other legislation and regulations will have other rules. But that will not stop something being permitted development under the planning legislation.

a 12 year old girl’s? very much doubt it

Whether it's legal or not, you will be in a right mess if you complain to the authorities and they are forced to take it down. The ideal thing would be one way glass but that's pretty expensive. The sticky-on stuff is almost as good except when the lights are on. Making the fence higher is obviously an option but there again it's notcheap.

In what way would they be in a right mess? Do you mean in way that ruins neighbourly relations or do you mean legally?

I’m presuming this post refers to neighbourly relations.

Knowing terraced back yards, from the two people I’ve known live in this type of house, there is usually zero privacy anyway and I’d be trying to think of ways to install fencing, privacy blinds etc I would have done this before this garden room was installed as surely, as they’re higher up, they would have been able to look directly into the yard/window anyway?

Check with the Council about permission. Even if they have 'Permitted Development' the Terms should stipulate that the building doesn't overlook private/personal space or causes distress. Once you have the info go speak with the neighbour explaining your concerns & ask if they can either heighten their fences, put up blinds or anything else you can think of to minimise their view of your Daughters bedroom. Try & keep calm & if they become unreasonable say you'll speak with the council/planning department asking them to come & view the building & see what they say. If they haven't got permission then they may well not want any hassle & help you resolve the situation.

Then you are deluded....

I just mean it would be very difficult living next door to people you have 'reported' to the authorities. Whether you win or lose, they might get unpleasant.

all the teenage boys i know would rip the absolute shit out of anyone looking through a 12yo’s window… obviously does depend on whether boys are 13 or 17 though! can’t imagine too many going to look at a prepubescent girl though

In what world is a 13 yo prepubescent?

Sorry 12 but loads of girls have errors at that age.

And yes, having been sexually harassed from 11 I know teenage boys. As does DD from 11 as well.

Mums of boys, please be aware.

Periods FFS.

Report them asap. The garden room and lack of privacy may also affect the value of your house.