My neighbor across the road has covered his house with Christmas lights and they shine and flash like Blackpool lights through my windows.
Can I force him to take them out?
PW, Sint-Albans.
Dean Dunham replies: My first advice on any neighborhood issues is to try to resolve the matter amicably by explaining the situation, with a view to reaching a compromise.
Here it is worth remembering that the lights are only temporary, so you should initially ask yourself whether you can live with it for a short period of time or whether it actually causes you enough distress to say something.
The compromise could be that they turn off at a certain time or that they turn off only some of the lights.
My first piece of advice on neighbor issues is to try to resolve the matter amicably, says Dean Dunham
If talking to your neighbor doesn’t help and you are really experiencing a lot of inconvenience, the next step is to contact your municipality and ask what the rules are regarding light pollution and annoying lighting.
In this context it is worth noting that councils have a duty to investigate complaints about artificial lighting if it can be considered a legal nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
This means that the light must unreasonably and substantially interfere with the use or enjoyment of your home or be harmful to health.
If the municipality agrees that the lighting is legally a nuisance, they can submit an abatement report, requiring your neighbor to stop or limit the lighting.
Before you take any steps, I want to warn you. If your actions cause an ongoing argument with your neighbor, this will not only be uncomfortable for everyone involved, but it will also become pertinent information you need to disclose when you decide to sell your home and could deter a buyer – or even your home devalue.