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Original poster

Neighbours Replaced Downstairs Side Window Wth Clear Glass

69 replies

SENMinefield · 20/05/2021 20:18

Neighbours are having all their windows replaced...all fine...even let them put scaffolding up our land as they only have 1 meter to the boundary. Came home tonight to discover they have replaced their side window which is their dining room from frosted glass to clear. Now our patio/garden is totally overlooked! Really fed up as we replaced our fencing last year to low fencing so we didn't block their light. Is there anything we can do or am I just going to have to buy more fencing...and a very bright security light for our side access which might have to shine straight into the window 🤣.

OP posts:
MotherOfGodWeeFella · 21/05/2021 07:37

You need to access the planning application and see whether it of the decision notice specified obscured glass for that window. If either did, then they need to change the glass.

PegasusReturns · 21/05/2021 07:40

I think you’re being unreasonable.

You’re neighbours, so you need a compromise. Frosted glass can make a room really dark and can have a big impact in a reception room.
You don’t want to be overlooked on your patio.

I suspect they use their dining room far more than you use your patio. Why should they be adversely impacted to suit you?

Sounds like the bamboo in pots would be a good compromise.

Seeline · 21/05/2021 07:45

Everytime they are in the dining room, go and wave at them through the window. They'll get some frosting film pretty quickly 😁

Kerberos · 21/05/2021 07:46

Start with a conversation. Check first what the planning conditions are for that window so you go armed with knowledge.

I thought windows that overlooked other properties had to be frosted but check what the conditions are.

BusyLizzie61 · 21/05/2021 09:33

@PegasusReturns

I think you’re being unreasonable.

You’re neighbours, so you need a compromise. Frosted glass can make a room really dark and can have a big impact in a reception room.
You don’t want to be overlooked on your patio.

I suspect they use their dining room far more than you use your patio. Why should they be adversely impacted to suit you?

Sounds like the bamboo in pots would be a good compromise.

Absolutely this!

Even if it had frosted glass in original application, you'd be so unreasonable @SENMinefield to pursue that imo.

MotherOfGodWeeFella · 21/05/2021 10:01

Rubbish - it was obscured glass in a side window for a reason: to prevent intrusive overlooking of the neighbours. If you were in the OP's position you'd think differently.

SoupDragon · 21/05/2021 10:04

Have you spoken to them about it?

DShrute · 21/05/2021 10:08

@NoToast

Frankly, if I went out to the bins in my underwear the neighbours would get frosted glass pretty quickly.
Grin
Londongent · 21/05/2021 10:18

That would annoy me too. If you put a 6ft fence in place instead of your low fence presumably that solves the problem?
If it does, then this is what I would do

BusyLizzie61 · 21/05/2021 10:29

@MotherOfGodWeeFella

Rubbish - it was obscured glass in a side window for a reason: to prevent intrusive overlooking of the neighbours. If you were in the OP's position you'd think differently.
Quite possibly the previous home owner who added the frosted window didn't like the op, her neighbour, looking into her house!
Cas112 · 21/05/2021 10:53

@Seeline

Everytime they are in the dining room, go and wave at them through the window. They'll get some frosting film pretty quickly 😁
I agree with this
Quincie · 21/05/2021 10:57

This house has frosted glass in all windows facing existing neighbour. Find out the facts before making plans. Speak to planning. Have an idea how close the window is to boundary- they can easily put that plastic sheet frosting on the window. I think they will be obliged to change it by planning officer.

roses2 · 21/05/2021 11:03

@SENMinefield

Any tips on how to make a fence as ugly as possible (neighbours side). So not happy with having to now replace a fence which is only one year old.

Will be calling planning tomorrow as suspect it is an extension but quite old.

My neighbour replaced a really nice panelled fence with plywood on my side.
Original poster
SENMinefield · 21/05/2021 13:44

Thanks for all your replies and help.

Have put an enquiry into planning. If they are in their rights to change the glass then will just have to replace the fence.

We haven't spoken to neighbours yet but I would have hoped they would have told us that they were thinking of replacing the glass and they must know it impacts us.

Will be shopping for some bamboo to plant in pots at the weekend until I know the long term position.

Just to be clear I don't go out in my underwear very often....usually under cover of darkness it's not a pretty sight and only 3 steps to the bin Grin

OP posts:
BusyLizzie61 · 21/05/2021 14:23

@SENMinefield

Thanks for all your replies and help.

Have put an enquiry into planning. If they are in their rights to change the glass then will just have to replace the fence.

We haven't spoken to neighbours yet but I would have hoped they would have told us that they were thinking of replacing the glass and they must know it impacts us.

Will be shopping for some bamboo to plant in pots at the weekend until I know the long term position.

Just to be clear I don't go out in my underwear very often....usually under cover of darkness it's not a pretty sight and only 3 steps to the bin Grin

Why should they tell you that they're changing their glass?! That's so entitled! Did you tell them that you intend to use that space as a patio and sit on it meaning that the usage of their reception room should be restricted?

Even though their room will be I use 365 days of the year and yet here were are you'd have struggled to have used it for a week this year so far?

MotherOfGodWeeFella · 21/05/2021 14:42

@BusyLizzie61 - far more likely to have been a planning requirement.

GreyhoundG1rl · 21/05/2021 15:20

I think they will be obliged to change it by planning officer.
I think so too. I can't imagine how a window overlooking someone else's garden wouldn't have had frosted glass as a requirement of planning consent.

SoupDragon · 21/05/2021 15:26

Are they the ones who had the extension built? If not, they might not know if frosted glass was a planning requirement ot simply a personal choice.

MotherOfGodWeeFella · 21/05/2021 15:39

Good point SoupDragon although it wouldn't take much looking into to find out.

newtolineofduty · 21/05/2021 15:50

We've just had a side window put in and was told it HAD to be frosted to be approved by building regs (it was done at the same time as our extension) because it overlooks our neighbours house, even though it just looks on to a brick wall, so if it looks into your garden I'd assume it's deffo illegal even if it's part of an existing build (which our new window was) x

Beckyt80 · 21/05/2021 17:31

We have added a ground floor side window to our original part of the house. It is clear. It was in our plans when we applied for our extension. It was not highlighted as a problem at all. It faces our neighbours side wall (about 4m away), but does also look into their garden on an angle. If there was a normal 6ft fence between us we would not have any view of their garden. The fact they have a spindly hedge is their choice. I understand upstairs windows being frosted, but with fences allowed to be 6ft, I’m not sure there is a problem with ground floor clear windows. I think there might be a rule, however if they are on/very close to the boundary.

AlmostSummer21 · 21/05/2021 17:33

@SENMinefield

Any tips on how to make a fence as ugly as possible (neighbours side). So not happy with having to now replace a fence which is only one year old.

Will be calling planning tomorrow as suspect it is an extension but quite old.

Jesus Christ. Why not go and talk to them. No need to get ridiculous about it
LuvMyBubbles · 21/05/2021 17:49

How did you go?

LuvMyBubbles · 21/05/2021 17:49

I
Love the mixed response, talking compared to going for the kill 🤣

Theunamedcat · 21/05/2021 17:56

You replaced your fence so you wouldn't obstruct there light? That would tick me off losing my privacy like that

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