Right to light

Right to light is a form of easement in English law that gives a long-standing owner of a building with windows a right to maintain an adequate level of illumination. The right was traditionally known as the doctrine of "ancient lights".^[1] It is also possible for a right to light to exist if granted expressly by deed, or granted implicitly, for example under the rule in Wheeldon v. Burrows (1879).

In England, the rights to ancient lights are most usually acquired under the Prescription Act 1832.

In American common law the doctrine died out during the 19th century, and is generally no longer recognized in the United States. Japanese law provides for a comparable concept known as nisshōken (literally "right to sunshine").

Daylighting

Protected view

Air rights

Spite fence

Spite house

Andrew Francis, Right of light ahead!, Journal of Building Appraisal, (2008) 4, 5–13

Eneref Institute campaign

Right To Daylight

Paul Chynoweth (2004)

Progressing the rights to light debate – Part 1: a review of current practice, Structural Survey, Vol. 22, No. 3, pp. 131–7

John Anstey and Lance Harris, ISBN 978-1-84219-222-1

Anstey's Rights of Light

Stephen Bickford-Smith and Andrew Francis, ISBN 978-1-84661-024-0

Rights of Light

Alistair Redler, ISBN 978-1-84219-236-8 [1]

"Practical Neighbour Law Handbook"

" Silver Oak Arboriculture

A neighbours tree is blocking light, what can I do?"

Davis, Howard. "The Future of Ancient Lights", Journal of Architectural and Planning Research, Vol. 6, No. 2, Summer 1989, pp. 132–153.