Right to Light Surveyors London

Our surveyors are experienced experts in Right to Light matters, having specialised in this field for some of the largest real estate companies in the UK.

We provide a comprehensive consultancy service for developers, design teams and adjoining owners.

With our first-rate technical abilities, we can quantify Right to Light liabilities and provide the best strategy.

Our focus for our developer clients is to mitigate their risk and create the best strategy approach for achieving this.

Design steering is one potential option, and we often work with the design team, providing envelopes and advice to achieve maximum scheme potential.

We also work with legal and insurance specialists in this field and can provide a complete package if required.

What is a Right to Light Survey?

A Right to Light Survey assesses whether a building or proposed development might interfere with a neighbour’s legal right to adequate natural light.

In the UK, the right to light is an easement, meaning a property owner may have a legal right to sufficient daylight reaching their property’s windows.

If a new development blocks this light, the affected property owner can claim compensation or seek an injunction to halt the construction.

The survey involves analysing the proposed development’s impact on the light surrounding properties receive.

This is done through specialist techniques, such as mapping and computer simulations, to measure the amount of daylight entering windows before and after the development.

Surveyors use tools like the 45-degree rule or the Waldram diagram to assess whether a neighbour’s light will be obstructed.

These surveys are particularly important in urban areas where buildings are close together, and even minor changes to neighbouring structures can significantly affect light levels.

Call us for help with Right to Light: 0203 476 9561

Advising Neighbouring Owners

We regularly provide help to property owners whose rights are infringed upon by a development.

Typically, a developer will want to reach an agreement over any Right of Light infringements they are causing to remove this legal liability from their scheme.

This will usually be in the form of monetary compensation.

Unfortunately, it isn’t always this simple.

Developers will sometimes obtain Right of Light insurance and keep quiet about infringements, allowing them to press on with development.

So it is important to be proactive and raise the issue.

At Blackacre, we appreciate the value of light, particularly to people in our cities.

We have spent many years specialising in negotiation with developers, seeking to ensure our clients receive a fair settlement for their losses.

Of course, if a property owner’s rights are infringed and a nuisance caused, they are entitled to seek an injunction over the offending party; however, this isn’t always the most practical solution.

Negotiation

• Full correspondence with the developer.
• Our own independent review of technical analysis prepared by developer.
• Assessment and discussion or quantum of loss to your property.
• Negotiation of compensation.
• Formation of Heads of Terms.
• Review of agreement drawings.