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At Lewis Nedas Law, we are expert property lawyers. We have a skilled team with over thirty years of experience. We represent tenants and landlords and work with you to protect your interests in any property transaction or litigation.

One particularly contentious issue in property law often concerns the right to light. The law of England and Wales provides for certain rights known as the ‘rights of light.' This means that there is a right to receive reasonable levels of natural light on a premises. Below we offer an insight into these rights, as well as how they can be acquired and how disputes can be handled. However, this is a complex area of law and if you have any questions about rights of light, do not hesitate to get in touch with our team, who are always happy to help.

Lewis Nedas Expert Property Lawyers

A right to light can be acquired in different ways and by different parties. A right to light is an easement. An easement is a particular benefit enjoyed by one premises over another. In the case of a right to light, one property has the right to the natural light passing over another property and into their windows, for example.

The right can be acquired by a tenant separately from the right of the landlord. It is possible for the easement to be formally granted in writing – for example as part of a sale or lease transaction. However, perhaps the most common way in which the right arises is via prescription. Prescription occurs where the person who benefits from the right to light has enjoyed this right for 20 years or more.

When do Disputes Arise?

Disputes often arise where new development is taking place. New development can be anything from a neighbour extending their home to a large scale building project for a new block of flats near your property. If a new development is limiting the amount of light coming into a premises where there is a right to light, this can be disputed. As the individual who is facing the loss of light to your premises, you can take action.

Firstly, if you have concerns about a development limiting your right to light, you can apply for an injunction. An injunction can halt any building work or can require work which has already been done to be knocked down. It is therefore very important, as a developer that you are aware that just because you have received planning permission, this does not mean that there will be no disputes over the right to light. You could be ordered to take down the work you have already completed; therefore it is very important that you have rights to light in mind before work commences.

Secondly, someone who benefits from a right to light can claim damages if their right to light is interfered with. Essentially this amounts to compensation being paid to make up for the loss of light to the premises.

Managing Disputes – How We Can Help

At Lewis Nedas, we are well placed to assist landlords, tenants, freeholders and developers. We have a broad range of expertise which can assist you in any dispute of this nature.

Firstly, if a development is interfering with your right to light – get in touch today. Whether you are a landlord, tenant or freeholder, we will be able to review your property titles and leases and help you understand who has the right to object to any development. We can then guide you through your options, including leading negotiations with the developer. If you do decide to apply for an injunction or damages, our expert property litigators are on hand to assist.

Equally, if you are a developer – get in touch at an early stage. Our solicitors can help you avoid disputes as a developer by checking the title deeds of neighbouring properties. We can help you understand who may have rights to light and how this interacts with your proposed works. We can advise you on the best way to proceed and anticipate problems at an early stage. It can be incredibly costly to have to rectify a building – but the court can order that this must happen. As a result, it is important that you seek advice at an early stage. We can help with negotiations and disputing any claims for damages or an injunction. As we have said, the most important thing is to seek early advice to try to minimise costs and allow your project to proceed efficiently.

Get in Touch

You should seek specialist support when dealing with disputes concerning rights to light. You need to speak to a solicitor with a strong knowledge of the market and property litigation. In order to be able to exercise your rights, you will need informed, professional commercial advice.

At Lewis Nedas, our team of Property Solicitors have broad experience in all manner of property litigation matters. We have successfully advised clients in right to light cases, guiding them through the process of protecting their rights and their premises.

To speak with one of our Property Lawyers, please contact us on 020 3811 3589 or complete our online enquiry form. At Lewis Nedas we are proud to support individuals and businesses in the day to day operations of their business. We understand how important your property is to you and will work hard to protect your interests.


One particularly contentious issue in property law often concerns the right to light. The law of England and Wales provides for certain rights known as the ‘rights of light.' This means that there is a right to receive reasonable levels of natural light on a premises. Below we offer an insight into these rights, as well as how they can be acquired and how disputes can be handled. However, this is a complex area of law and if you have any questions about rights of light, do not hesitate to get in touch with our team, who are always happy to help.

Lewis Nedas Expert Property Lawyers

A right to light can be acquired in different ways and by different parties. A right to light is an easement. An easement is a particular benefit enjoyed by one premises over another. In the case of a right to light, one property has the right to the natural light passing over another property and into their windows, for example.

The right can be acquired by a tenant separately from the right of the landlord. It is possible for the easement to be formally granted in writing – for example as part of a sale or lease transaction. However, perhaps the most common way in which the right arises is via prescription. Prescription occurs where the person who benefits from the right to light has enjoyed this right for 20 years or more.

When do Disputes Arise?

Disputes often arise where new development is taking place. New development can be anything from a neighbour extending their home to a large scale building project for a new block of flats near your property. If a new development is limiting the amount of light coming into a premises where there is a right to light, this can be disputed. As the individual who is facing the loss of light to your premises, you can take action.

Firstly, if you have concerns about a development limiting your right to light, you can apply for an injunction. An injunction can halt any building work or can require work which has already been done to be knocked down. It is therefore very important, as a developer that you are aware that just because you have received planning permission, this does not mean that there will be no disputes over the right to light. You could be ordered to take down the work you have already completed; therefore it is very important that you have rights to light in mind before work commences.

Secondly, someone who benefits from a right to light can claim damages if their right to light is interfered with. Essentially this amounts to compensation being paid to make up for the loss of light to the premises.

Managing Disputes – How We Can Help

At Lewis Nedas, we are well placed to assist landlords, tenants, freeholders and developers. We have a broad range of expertise which can assist you in any dispute of this nature.

Firstly, if a development is interfering with your right to light – get in touch today. Whether you are a landlord, tenant or freeholder, we will be able to review your property titles and leases and help you understand who has the right to object to any development. We can then guide you through your options, including leading negotiations with the developer. If you do decide to apply for an injunction or damages, our expert property litigators are on hand to assist.

Equally, if you are a developer – get in touch at an early stage. Our solicitors can help you avoid disputes as a developer by checking the title deeds of neighbouring properties. We can help you understand who may have rights to light and how this interacts with your proposed works. We can advise you on the best way to proceed and anticipate problems at an early stage. It can be incredibly costly to have to rectify a building – but the court can order that this must happen. As a result, it is important that you seek advice at an early stage. We can help with negotiations and disputing any claims for damages or an injunction. As we have said, the most important thing is to seek early advice to try to minimise costs and allow your project to proceed efficiently.

Get in Touch

You should seek specialist support when dealing with disputes concerning rights to light. You need to speak to a solicitor with a strong knowledge of the market and property litigation. In order to be able to exercise your rights, you will need informed, professional commercial advice.

At Lewis Nedas, our team of Property Solicitors have broad experience in all manner of property litigation matters. We have successfully advised clients in right to light cases, guiding them through the process of protecting their rights and their premises.

To speak with one of our Property Lawyers, please contact us on 020 3811 3589 or complete our online enquiry form. At Lewis Nedas we are proud to support individuals and businesses in the day to day operations of their business. We understand how important your property is to you and will work hard to protect your interests.

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“I was put in touch with Lewis Nedas Law through a mutual friend and I was not disappointed. The team were nothing but straight forward, honest and realistic about the nature of my case and the expected outcome from the minute I got in contact and were willing to take over from the previous company at very short notice. With their unrivalled experience and expertise in their profession the outcome was even better than expected and I couldn’t recommend them enough.”


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