My neighbour across the street has plastered his house with Christmas lights and they shine and flash like Blackpool illuminations through my windows.
Can I make him turn them off?
P.W., St Albans.
Dean Dunham replies: My first piece of advice with any neighbourly 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 will only be temporary so you should initially ask yourself if you can live with them for a short period of time or if it really is causing you enough distress to warrant saying something.
The compromise could be that they be turned off by a certain time or that they take just some of the lights down.
My first piece of advice with any neighbourly issues is to try to resolve the matter amicably, says Dean Dunham
If talking to your neighbour does not work and it really is causing you a significant nuisance, your next step will be to contact your local council and ask what its rules are regarding light pollution and nuisance lighting.
In this respect, it is worth noting that councils have an obligation to investigate complaints about artificial light if it could be considered a statutory nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
This means the light must unreasonably and substantially interfere with the use or enjoyment of your home or be likely to injure health.
If the council agrees that the lights are a statutory nuisance, they can serve an abatement notice requiring your neighbour to stop or restrict the lighting.
Before you embark on taking any steps I offer a word of warning. If your actions cause an ongoing feud with your neighbour, not only will this be uncomfortable for all concerned, but it will also become relevant information that you will have to disclose when you decide to sell your home and this could put a buyer off – or even devalue your home.
