neighbours conservatory clear windows!

[george07]

i have bought a new house which im renovating although nxt doors huge conservatory which is right nxt to the fence seperating the houses doesnt have misted glass on the side which looks straight onto my house/gardens etc
i am told it is a legal requirement that this pane of glass should be misted etc to maintain my dwellings privacy..is this correct ?
my french doors in my new kitchen dining room are on that side as well so is a metre or so at most away..which means they can look straight into my kitchen/diner if my blinds are open if they chose to do so(not that they would but the kids or visitors possibly would do) on the other hand as it blocks my view looking out of my doors that way i feel i am looking straight into their conservatory when their blinds are open ... besides that i very very enclosed and it is over imposing blocked in so to speak ?
as i dont want to fall out with the new neighbours im trying to work out a solution ammicably but have not approached them about it as yet!
dont think the would take 2 kindly of replacing the glass for misted(if it is a legal requirement and that im perfectly entitled to insist on it) or should i suggest that they keep the blinds closed on the window ? advice guys plz as i need to solve this problem long term for my dwelling...expect its not the 1st time this issue as arose with neighbours but what is the answer or what would you do...cheers again

 

[HERTS P&D]

How high is the fence between the houses,? as you can have a 6'6"" fence and that should stop anyone looking in. Also is it your fence or your neighbours?

Andy

 

[mointainwalker]

I don't think there is any requirement for obscured glass unless it was a requirement for planning permission ( if required ). Unsure what situation is if conservatory built illegally.

Believe your position is very weak as you have just bought this house , presumably being aware of the points troubling you.

 

[^woody^]

There is no legal requirement for obscure glazing.

I'm not sure what your problem is, as if the conservatory was not there, then the neighbour could still just stand in the garden and look over the fence if he wanted to

 

[peca27]

Why don't you speak to the neighbour and ask if they would be willing to put on some obscure film (applies directly onto the inner window of the conservatory)?

http://www.purlfrost.com/purlfrost.php

It's not expensive and isn't permanent (I know they could peel it off, but I doubt they're gonna pay for new frosted glass on your side of the conservatory).

If they don't comply, you fall out + put up the dirtiest / ugliest fence you can find (at approx 1.8m) right up against the window in question.........it'll ruin they're 'ambience' in the conservatory I'm sure

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Why don't you speak to the neighbour and ask if they would be willing to put on some obscure film (applies directly onto the inner window of the conservatory)?

http://www.purlfrost.com/purlfrost.php

It's not expensive and isn't permanent (I know they could peel it off, but I doubt they're gonna pay for new frosted glass on your side of the conservatory).

If they don't comply, you fall out + put up the dirtiest / ugliest fence you can find (at approx 1.8m) right up against the window in question.........it'll ruin they're 'ambience' in the conservatory I'm sure

Unless the conservatory has appeared between exchanging and moving in the stupid Idiot shouldn't have bought the house if he didn't like the overlooking windows! Sounds like a neighbour from hell.

 

[^woody^]

If they don't comply, you fall out + put up the dirtiest / ugliest fence you can find (at approx 1.8m) right up against the window in question.........it'll ruin they're 'ambience' in the conservatory I'm sure

That smacks of hypocrisy and bullying

Just because the OP does not get what he wants, you are advising him to be deliberately vindictive and nasty to his neighbour on the basis that the neighbours existing conservatory "blocks the view" from the Op's new french doors?

 

[peca27]

Fair point woody, altho I do suggest to the OP try talking to him about applying a frosted film in the first instance? He could also have a bit of strategically placed landscaping done?

But tbh, I don't recall too many conservatories (I'm presuming this is a semi OP?) that are clear glazed on the neighbour's side upto the party wall line.

I understand all the talk about the OP knowing what he was getting, but the situation is what it is now.......so he's looking for an amicable solution.

But I wouldn't like it either, and I'd stick a BIG fence up if the neighbour didn't co-operate

 

[catlad]

I find it hard to believe that with all the planing regulations you are ok to build an extension and have clear windows on your neighbours side. not only that why would you do that.

 

[george07]

herts the fence is approx 5ft or so and unsure at this point who owns the fence..since it isnt a legal requirement for misted glass then i will ask them if they will consider this misted film on that window etc..failing that i would have to look at putting up the highest fence i could legally.
catlad im not sure if the conservatory had planning or not and yes my dwelling is a semi..
freddy so i shouldnt have bought the house because of 1 negative aspect of the house ?... which is far outweighed by all the positive aspects of the house think about the bigger picture you pratt!
woody what a stupid comment..you wouldnt stand in the garden in all kinds of weather or at night just to stare into the direction of my french doors into my kitchen dining entertainment room would you... get real lad.....but they could do from their cosy warm weatherproof conservatory watching tv in my direction etc as people are very nosey!
also with my french door blinds open at night(until i close them last thing for the night which is my choice) and their lighting off in their conservatory blinds open.. which i cant see them...whos to say im not being watched albeit unlikely whilst entertaining etc or just going about my buisness..finally i admit i didnt even notice this when i bought the house..although as i say it wouldnt have put me off,just a problem im trying to resolve cheers for all decent replies

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

I hope your neighbour tells you to feck off and turns out to be a neighbour from hell too you pratt.

 

[big-all]

heeelllooo george07 hows it going

i understand where your coming from but your last couple off comment will not earn you friends
yes i know you probably don't care lol but a bit more tolerence rather than "reacting" will serve you well
yes the comments may seem a tad harsh and maybe a bit blunt but in general are correct
getting on with the people next door must be your number one consideration so first line should be conversation and mutual agreement with tinkering at the edges to find a working agreement

 

[RonnyRaygun]

Build an extension under PD rights...no-one's going to see through a 2.5m high wall!
Costly way of preventing your neighbours peering in when you could just close the curtains, but think of what you could do with the extra space!

 

[george07]

yeah ok guys...on the other hand how would i find out or who would i contact to get a legal opinion on whether its perfectly legal or not to have clear glass on the party wall side & what action i can take to enforce proceedings to have the neighbours fit frosted glass etc if it turns out to be illegal cheers again

 

[HERTS P&D]

Where have you been for the last 5 months?

Andy