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What are Rights of Light?
A Right of Light is a common law issue. It is an easement that an aperture can acquire either through the 1832 Prescription Act or by Express Grant. Acquiring a Rights of Light through prescription requires the aperture to be in place for more than 20 years and the easement entitles the dominant owner to see a specific amount of sky from a certain percentage of the room. When a proposed development causes an infringement, the neighbouring properties are entitled to a remedy.
Our Experience
A Rights of Light infringement can carry a huge liability for a Developer and have the potential to render schemes unfeasible. We have dealt with schemes on both a large and small scale and ensured that our clients’ best interests are met. Once we have been appointed we devise a strategy using our extensive technical, legal and practical knowledge to protect our clients’ interests.
Developers
The complications arising through Rights of Light matter can be significant. As a Developer you are at risk from time and monetary costs that are unlikely to be recovered. Considering Rights of Light at the acquisition stage can benefit your project through negotiating the purchase price or by providing a contingency if such problems arise.
Neighbour
As the owner of a Rights of Light easement you are entitled to see a specific amount of the sky from a certain percentage of the room. When an injury occurs you should receive a remedy. It is a very specialist subject and dealing with the Developers and their consultants can be confusing. It is recommended to consider having your own Rights of Light specialist who can look after your best interests.
Our Services
Here are some details of the Rights of Light services we offer and what is included in each.
Pre-Acquisition Advice
- Site inspection, identifying properties with the potential of being impacted
- An indicative massing which could be implemented within the built environment
- The severity of infringements based upon a proposed scheme
- Advice on how to proceed
Initial Feasibility Report
- The establishment of any easements that are presents and review of legal documentation available
- Review of a scheme with or without planning and indicative risk assessment
- The severity of injuries
- Advice on how to proceed
Site Optimisation & Feasibility
- Site inspection and property measurements
- 3D modelling of the surrounding built environment
- A maximum building envelope
- Cutbacks to an existing proposal to limit any future claim arising
Technical Analysis
- Site inspection and property measurements
- 3D modelling of the surrounding environment
- Analysis of the scheme and full calculation
Full Rights of Light Assessment
- Site inspection and property measurements
- 3D modelling
- Detailed report of the technical analysis
- Indicative compensation values
- The establishment of any easements that are present and review of legal documentation available
- Review of a scheme with or without planning and indicative risk assessment
- Advice on proceeding with claims
Strategic Advice & Negotiation
- Review of technical analysis
- Bespoke case appraisal
- Review of legal documentation constructed following negotiations
Easy Reference Chart
Bloomsbury Plaza Residents Association
It has been a great pleasure to work with you since AWH commenced the management. We have all been much impressed by AWH.
It has been a great pleasure to work with you since AWH commenced the management. We have all been much impressed by AWH.
Hanover Gate Mansions
Thank you for doing such a great job of managing the properties. Before you took over we always noticed that there seemed to be an unnecessary amount of gardening being done - at an excessive cost per year. We're pleased to see that the front garden looks just as nice but you've significantly cut the costs.
Removing the fire escapes, as well as improving safety will be a significant improvement to the light quality in the flats below, and will reduce the damage to the windows below.
- Lessee at Hanover Gate Mansions
Thank you for doing such a great job of managing the properties. Before you took over we always noticed that there seemed to be an unnecessary amount of gardening being done - at an excessive cost per year. We're pleased to see that the front garden looks just as nice but you've significantly cut the costs.
Removing the fire escapes, as well as improving safety will be a significant improvement to the light quality in the flats below, and will reduce the damage to the windows below.
- Lessee at Hanover Gate Mansions
Climpson & Co. Limited
What can I say but you're doing a fantastic Job and we appreciate all you're doing for us.
What can I say but you're doing a fantastic Job and we appreciate all you're doing for us.
Graham Properties
I would like to take this opportunity to comment that having dealt with multiple managing agents over the years, it was a breath of fresh air to deal with your company who sent everything across very precisely and efficiently and made the whole process extremely straight forward and easy, I very much appreciate it.
I would like to take this opportunity to comment that having dealt with multiple managing agents over the years, it was a breath of fresh air to deal with your company who sent everything across very precisely and efficiently and made the whole process extremely straight forward and easy, I very much appreciate it.
Chancellor Court N3
Moving the managing agents of our block of flats to Clive Greenwood and his team at Anderson Wilde & Harris, has proved a breath of fresh air. They have grasped the various inherited nuances that came with the block. They are swift to respond to every request or incident be they current, or future planned upgrade issues. The latter fully supported by an excellent AWH Building Projects Management team. They answer their telephones without having to go through time consuming switchboards, and reply almost instantly to messages and emails. Rapid communication and good advice has been the key for us and we are always felt to be important. What more should one wish for?
Moving the managing agents of our block of flats to Clive Greenwood and his team at Anderson Wilde & Harris, has proved a breath of fresh air. They have grasped the various inherited nuances that came with the block. They are swift to respond to every request or incident be they current, or future planned upgrade issues. The latter fully supported by an excellent AWH Building Projects Management team. They answer their telephones without having to go through time consuming switchboards, and reply almost instantly to messages and emails. Rapid communication and good advice has been the key for us and we are always felt to be important. What more should one wish for?
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Consistent communication. At every stage in the process, we contact you to provide updates.
Trusted advisors. We advise clients on a multitude of different facets of property, and would be pleased to help you with yours. See our testimonials page for more from our diverse range of clients.
Call us now on 0800 071 5517 or by using the contact form.