We live in a semi-detatched house. not the ad-joining side, the other side we have our drive down the middle which separates the other house. and they have just put a window about eye level on the side of the wall. which to us is a stupid idea and I didnt think you could do that. and the only thing they can see is our bick wall anyway!!
but the thing as well is we are thinking off building a garage. so how would that work. they would have to brick it up wouldnt they.???

My house has a widow looking out on to the driveway that runs between me and my neighbour. it is pointless except that it provides natural light and an air source in a small room. As I understand it and I’m no expert your neighbours can put a window in so long as it does not impinge on your privacy, and as you say it looks out on to a wall it is not effecting your privacy.

You say you want to build a garage on the driveway which would force your neighbour to brick up their window. I would look into planning laws carefully. if I was your neighbour I would certainly object to anyone building something attached to my house or was that close to my house that affected my use of a window.

other people have garages attached to both sides.
as it is our drive we are/should be entitled to build a grage. do what we want.

Originally posted by beth29
other people have garages attached to both sides.
as it is our drive we are/should be entitled to build a grage. do what we want.

I agree there with you and have seen it done but on this occasion by them putting in that window, it might stop you from being allowed to build it up to their wall. I'd seek further professional advice on the matter as i don't think there's anyone on here that would know legally what you are and aren't allowed to do.

we did want to move house but as my husband has not been self employed all that long. we couldnt borrow as much money as we wanted.
so we thought stay where we are a bit longer. but a garage is what we woulld need and would add value to the house.
it really would make me sick if we couldnt have a garage. for the space as well.
??

It depends on how old their house is whether the deeds say they cannot let a window into the side of their house. If your's is the same age, consult your deeds before taking any action.

They may object to your new garage, as there are restrictions as to how close to an existing building you can build, but if you object to their window, you can bet your bottom dollar they will object to anything you attempt to do.

It looks like you're onto a loser with any realtionship with these neighbours henceforth though - unless you're a trained negotiator ;)

Good luck :thumbsup:

They are all roughly the same age. about 15 years ish.
Could we just not get some drawings done and get some builders in.
All the houses are pretty much identical. most do have a garage!!
and he has got a garage.

In my opinion your circumstances have all the traits of something which will just escalate into a bloody minded neighbour dispute, which won't just stop at overlooking side windows and garages. It will get so petty as to be unbelievable.

If I understand things correctly there are similar properties which have garages on your road and this would seem to be to your advantage, as what you are proposing would be "in keeping" with the neighbourhood. I think the key however is for you to do your homework and not just "get some drawings done and the builders in". There will be countless examples of structures having to come down simply because all the paperwork hasn't be done. Within that paperwork has to be evidence that proper checks (I'll not use consultation as that implies seeking your neighbour's permission) have been made. If someone wanted to raise any objection, even after the building was in place, then you might find it difficult to defend your position. Think of the potential waste of money and time if some official contacted you. As has been pointed out already, if you have strong feelings about your neighbour's window, then it's pretty much guaranteed that they will feel the same (or more so) about a structure such as a garage.

So I would advise caution and patience. Not saying you shouldn't have a garage - just don't leave yourself open to problems further down the line (that's both officialdom or the neighbour from hell or both).

Just to clarify...

is your house separated from next door by 2 driveways, or is your's the only one? Is their house built right up to their boundary, or is there a path/driveway on their land too?

They have got a drive at the top and then garage. then there is our driveway. we really do not want to have a dispute with the neighbours'
there is no question about it, we do need a garage and he cannot stop it. we will not be happy at all if it stops us. and if and when we do move. and see the window next door, they will think. why?
you cant build there.

Im getting a bit confused - and without actually seeing your house it is difficult to properly understand the situation ... but ... you seem to be implying that you will be attching a garage to the side of your house and to the side of your neighbours house. this would then make the whole row link attached and not semi detached as you all are now. i can see how a garage would increase the value of your house but can you see how becoming link attached would decrease the value of your neighbours? I think treding very softly here is the way and getting proper advice.

i don't mean to affend you but the tone of your posts seeems quite confruntational (perhaps that is just the way it seems in writting) and being confruntational is not the way to get your neighbour to agree to anything.

if you have massive disputes with your neighbour and you do come to sell you will have to declare this to the prespective buyer - that certainly isn't going to add value to your house.

I agree, you do sound pretty confrontational and single minded and If i was your next door neighbour i'd make your lives pretty difficult if you were like that with me.

You said something like its your house, you can do what you like....did your neighbours say that when they built their window?

You want to increase the value of your house, if in doing so you decrease the value of their house they will quite rightly have a major problem with that

there are loads of planning laws about how close to the boundaries you can build.......so be careful

by the sounds of things you definately need to be more diplomtic

My husband has spoke to a architect. he is coming to have a look later this week. and he explained everything to him re. window. and he basically said. it is our land we can do what we want. build a garage. and he probably didnt get planning permission for the window etc.
he said they shouldnt be a problem!

Originally posted by beth29
My husband has spoke to a architect. he is coming to have a look later this week. and he explained everything to him re. window. and he basically said. it is our land we can do what we want. build a garage. and he probably didnt get planning permission for the window etc.
he said they shouldnt be a problem!

i am almost certain he didn't say.......its your land, you can do what you want.......there are planning laws that apply to all properties

and just because your neighbours didn't get permission, doesn't mean you don't need to.

The ideal situation would be to get written consent from the planning office, that way you're covered no matter what fuss your neighbours make

may be so. but not allowing us to build a garage is totally unreasonable.
what type of garage it will be. I dont know. whether it is attached to the/their house or bit of space I dont know.
are you saying, you buy a house. you have a drive way. but you not allowed to put a garage on your drive!!

Originally posted by beth29
may be so. but not allowing us to build a garage is totally unreasonable.
what type of garage it will be. I dont know. whether it is attached to the/their house or bit of space I dont know.
are you saying, you buy a house. you have a drive way. but you not allowed to put a garage on your drive!!

you seem to be really self centred on this, you don't seem to understand the fact that if what you build on your land could decrease the value of your neighbours property then they would quite rightly be annoyed about it, and their are planning laws against it.......if your garage blocks the view from their window, and they had permission to build their window then there will probably be a planning law that they could use against you

Understand this beth, you DO NOT have the right to build a garage up to your neighbours property and attach it to their house.

Other garages which do this will have been in agreement with each neighbour concerned.
If someone attached something to your property would you object?

I'm not saying your situation is a lost cause but don't assume you have rights which by law you do not.

I see your point Rocketpig.
but putting a window there cannot possibly be legal. as it puts us. (the neighbours in a no win situation). before this was done we were preparing to build a garage. We have lived in this house for 5 years and we want to extend.
I can thank everyone for their comments. I do not mean attaching to the house next door. I am not a builder. may be there will be a little gap.
I dont know!

Originally posted by beth29
putting a window there cannot possibly be legal.

Can i ask why not?! It's their house, their land, surely as you keep putting it they can do as they like!

You are right. they can do that. keep the window there. and we will put a garage next to our house.
the only thing is, the only thing they will see is a garage. not my problem that!!

Originally posted by beth29
You are right. they can do that. keep the window there. and we will put a garage next to our house.
the only thing is, the only thing they will see is a garage. not my problem that!!
Well you'll need to apply for planning permission to build the garage and they may object due to it blocking the view from their window.

At which point you can find out whether planning permission was granted for their window. If yes then I doub't you'll get your garage. If not then you stand a better chance.

Unless these are listed buildings or in a conservation area, a window wouldn't need planning permission, would it?

Whereas a garage probably would.

Your neighbour may have a "right to light" - I recall reading about this but don't know the details.

Maybe Tony will be along soon, he seems to know his stuff where planning is concerned.

You are right. i suspect they didnt have planning permission as nobody came to see us/ask us.
we are going to get planning permission.
like you say just for a window you shouldnt get planning permission. we will see what happens??

Originally posted by beth29
You are right. i suspect they didnt have planning permission as nobody came to see us/ask us.
we are going to get planning permission.
like you say just for a window you shouldnt get planning permission. we will see what happens??

Good luck and i hope you do get your garage, i'd be as hacked off as you if i was in your shoes.

Originally posted by Andy
Unless these are listed buildings or in a conservation area, a window wouldn't need planning permission, would it?

Whereas a garage probably would.

Your neighbour may have a "right to light" - I recall reading about this but don't know the details.

Maybe Tony will be along soon, he seems to know his stuff where planning is concerned.
It all depends on the intrusion factor for the neighbours of said window installers as well as structural factors too.
I think planning permission would still be required for a window if it's to be located where there wasn't one originally and with that neighbours have a right to object.

I could be wrong but I think that's the case.

We are having a archictect coming round on Thursday and hopefully things should progress.
and if we see the neighbour we will tell him our plans!!
and see if he gets hacked off!
I am not doing it for a dispute. just what we want.

Can i ask what the outcome of Thursday was?

I'd be interested too

This might sound like a silly reply, buts thats me. Have you tried talking to your neighbour and asking them what they think to you putting up a garage. Even if they violently object, at least you know whats what. If they object at a later date it could get costly for you.

he cancelled on us at the last minute. he couldnt make it.
going to leave it now til' the new year.
more important things to do.
go out and get drunk.
and it was my birthday yesterday.
have a good christmas everyone !!
where is everyone off to. and what are you up to over christmas.
xx

Hi Beth,
What you need to do is to get in contact with
Sheffield council and ask for advise regarding
building a garage on your land this is for private housing
as well as council.
They where very helpful to me a few years ago
and because my garage was classed (I believe) as
structure that was not permanent I was allowed to build.
I also had a window added to the side wall of my house
in my new kitchen area and because I did not affect my
neighbours house then there was no problem and I did
not need planning permission.
I think you might be refused planning permission because
of your neighbours window.
You will need to check this out with Sheffield council and
this cost me a phone call and a visit to the office.
I think that because your neighbour had a window before
you wanted to build a garage then he possibly did not need
planning permission but you do.
It would be very unfair to block your neighbours natural light
and I would have thought a garage would not have added any
extra value to your home unless you where planning to build
above the garage.
If you really need to get your car off the road then have you thought about
a carport this would not block your neighbours natural light.
Hope this helps.
Cher

Hi. I am back. I didnt see him but we hada architect round to our house this week. basically we could build a garage, but. he wasa bit concerned about that window. as if we got all the legal things done, planning permission etc. our neighbour would probably object.
although WE DOUBT V. MUCH HE ASKED FOR PLANNING PERMISSION. or anything. for the whole extension.
as they never wrote to us, to see if would object. we had nothing. so basically he is in the wrong. it seems too much hassle to do it.
So I think we are going to try and move. but that is a slight problem.
is there any mortgage companies, that can/will pay your old mortgage company off. as our existing mortgage co., wont give us much.

The money the buyer gives you for your house pays your mortgate off and you take out a new mortgate for the new house.

Hi again. we have managed to come up with some help. my parents have said they will be our guarantors. which if we cant pay they pay. but it wont come to that. (( hope)
but we still only can have, what we can pay back.
and the mortgage co., have agreed to that.
so we are now looking to move!!!
we had a look at a couple last night.