Home owners
Check whether a planned extension or new build could affect a neighbour's light, and deal with it before it turns into a dispute.
Rights of Light Surveyors
Know exactly where you stand on light before a neighbour's wall, or a lawyer's letter, decides it for you.
A “right to light” is a legal right to receive natural daylight through a defined window or opening. In England and Wales it is a form of easement, and once it exists a neighbouring development cannot simply build in a way that takes that light away.
A rights of light survey is how that light is measured and assessed. By accurately surveying the windows, levels and surroundings of the properties involved, we can provide the base data to model how much daylight currently reaches a room and how a development would affect it.
That evidence works both ways: it helps those planning a scheme avoid a conflict before they build, and it helps those who believe a neighbouring development is taking, or is about to take, their light understand exactly where they stand.
- Avoid costly disputes and delays
- Make decisions on evidence, not guesswork
- Strengthen your negotiating position
- Protect property value and amenity
5.0
powered by
Call us today
+44(0)143 884 1300Get a free quote
Request a free, no-obligation quote for your project today.
Why You Need a Rights of Light Survey
Rights of light issues are far easier (and cheaper) to deal with early, whether you are the one building or the one affected. An accurate survey tells you where you stand so the right decisions can be made at the right time.
Architects & Developers
Test a design against neighbouring light before it is submitted, and adjust massing, height or window positions while changes are still cheap. Understand the risk of objections, injunctions or compensation so it can be factored into appraisals, programme and negotiations.
Affected by a development
If a nearby scheme is underway or proposed and you think it is taking, or is about to take, your light, get the evidence to support an early conversation, negotiation or claim.
What the Survey Includes
We measure the relevant buildings and apertures precisely, typically using 3D laser scanning and a measured building survey to record window positions, sill heights, room layouts and levels to high levels of accuracy. That accurate base data is the foundation everything else relies on.
From the survey data we produce a Rights of light Surveyor can complete the analysis you need: daylight modelling, light contour and Waldram-style diagrams, and producing a clear report quantifying the existing light and the impact of the proposed scheme.
From the survey data we produce a Rights of light Surveyor can complete the analysis you need: daylight modelling, light contour and Waldram-style diagrams, and producing a clear report quantifying the existing light and the impact of the proposed scheme.
The Law
In England and Wales, a right to light most commonly arises by "prescription" under the Prescription Act 1832: where a defined window has enjoyed uninterrupted natural light for at least 20 years, the building can acquire a legal right to that light. It is a right to enough light for the ordinary use of a room, not to all light, and it attaches to specific windows rather than the whole property.
Importantly, a right to light is separate from planning permission, so planning consent does not remove a neighbour's established right. Where a development causes an actionable loss of light, the courts can award damages or, in some cases, an injunction that halts or alters the work. (This is general information, not legal advice; always consult a solicitor or specialist rights of light surveyor on your specific situation.)
Importantly, a right to light is separate from planning permission, so planning consent does not remove a neighbour's established right. Where a development causes an actionable loss of light, the courts can award damages or, in some cases, an injunction that halts or alters the work. (This is general information, not legal advice; always consult a solicitor or specialist rights of light surveyor on your specific situation.)
What to Do with Your Rights of Light Survey
Your survey and report are designed to be used. They allow your architect to refine the design, give your development team the evidence to assess and price risk, and provide solicitors or rights of light consultants with the accurate data they need to advise, negotiate or, if necessary, support an insurance or legal position.
In most cases the goal is to resolve matters early: redesign where it helps, open an informed conversation with the affected party, and proceed with confidence rather than uncertainty.
In most cases the goal is to resolve matters early: redesign where it helps, open an informed conversation with the affected party, and proceed with confidence rather than uncertainty.
Planning a construction project?
Don't let a neighbour's right to light stop your scheme with an injunction or a five-figure compensation claim. Know your risk now, while it's still cheap to fix. Have a survey done before it's too late.
Contact Us
Our Approach
We start with accuracy. Because every right of light conclusion depends on the quality of the underlying measurements, we capture the site properly first, using 3D laser scanning and measured building survey techniques, and only then can a Rights of Light Surveyor build the analysis on top of our reliable data.
All the necessary data can usually be captured in a single site visit. The modelling component generally takes just a few days. Typically in less than a week, you'll have your complete Rights of Light survey.
All the necessary data can usually be captured in a single site visit. The modelling component generally takes just a few days. Typically in less than a week, you'll have your complete Rights of Light survey.
Why Choose Terrain Surveys
A rights of light assessment is only as reliable as the survey behind it, so accuracy and credibility matter. Terrain Surveys has been delivering precise land and measured building surveys since 2004, more than 20 years, to the construction and property sectors across England and Wales, from four offices nationwide.
Our accuracy is independently assured. We work to RICS standards and hold recognised industry accreditations (shown below).
That combination of two decades' experience, accredited quality processes and accurate 3D laser scanning means the data behind your rights of light evidence will stand up to scrutiny, whether it ends up in a design review, a negotiation or a legal file.
Our accuracy is independently assured. We work to RICS standards and hold recognised industry accreditations (shown below).
That combination of two decades' experience, accredited quality processes and accurate 3D laser scanning means the data behind your rights of light evidence will stand up to scrutiny, whether it ends up in a design review, a negotiation or a legal file.
Accreditations
We'd love to hear from you
Get a free quote ONLINE OR CALL
+44(0)143 884 1300Request a free, no-obligation quote for your project today.
