Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
Related legal acts
Key definition
Rights of light definition

What does Rights of light mean? In practice, a right of light protects a building’s ability to receive natural light through identified windows, and can restrict neighbouring development that would materially reduce that light. In England and Wales and in Northern Ireland it is an easement. It is commonly acquired by prescription (typically after 20 years’ uninterrupted enjoyment) under the Prescription Act 1832 (and equivalent NI legislation), or by express or implied grant or reservation. The scope is defined by case law, which protects only “sufficient light for ordinary beneficial use”; assessment is technical (for example, daylight/sunlight or Waldram analysis). Remedies include injunctions or damages in lieu....

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Precedent: Developer’s Letter of Instruction to Rights of Light Surveyor—Scope, Evidence, Insurance, LONs, Deeds of Release, Valuation and Expert Role (England)

Precedents
imgtext

PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL

[ insert name and address of surveyor ]

[ insert date ]

Dear [ insert name of surveyor ]

[ insert case heading ]

INSTRUCTIONS TO ACT AS Rights of light SURVEYOR CONFIDENTIAL AND LEGALLY PRIVILEGED LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS/TERMS OF Engagement

I represent [ name of client ] in relation to the property identified as [ property description ] (the Property), of which my client holds the leasehold/freehold [ delete as applicable ] ownership, with the title recorded at HM Land Registry under title number [ insert title number ].

I write to confirm my client’s instructions for you to prepare a report (the Report), together with any follow-up reports and/or advice requested, and, if appropriate in due course, to act as an expert in any court proceedings, all in relation to rights of light matters at the Property arising from the proposed redevelopment of the Property (the Proposed Redevelopment)...

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Kate Andrews
Kate Andrews

Kate is a partner in the Property Litigation department at Hamlins LLP and advises on a wide variety of contentious property-related matters. Her main area of practice is contractual and development disputes, including specific performance claims, injunctions, rights to light, insolvency issues, Party Wall Act disputes and the redevelopment of business premises. She also deals with dilapidations, service charges, applications for consent, rent reviews and other landlord and tenant issues. Kate trained with Nabarro, qualifying in 2003. She joined Hamlins as a partner in 2014....

Web page updated on 22/05/2026

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