Artificial light nuisance

Nuisance lighting from your neighbours

If your neighbours lighting is causing problems for you it is advisable to discuss your concerns with your neighbour to solve the matter informally. Your neighbour may not be aware that their lighting is causing you a problem. Minor adjustments to the lighting may be a solution, for example:

• re-angling or partial shading of the light
• fitting of a passive infra red sensor
• using a lower power bulb

You can show the neighbour the effect of the light from "your side of the fence".

Unless the light is shining directly into a window at night and normal curtains do not keep it out we do not have the legal authority to investigate.

Lighting guidance

• Institute of Lighting Professionals - Advice on installing domestic security lighting
• Dark Skies Campaign - British Astronomical Society Campaign Website

Legislation for artificial light

The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 amended the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to bring artificial light from premises under the Statutory Nuisance regime. Statutory Nuisance however does not apply to artificial light from:

• street lighting
• airports
• bus stations and associated facilities and tramway premises
• goods vehicle operating centres
• railway premises
• prisons
• public service vehicle operating centres
• premises occupied for defence premises
• harbours and lighthouses

Making a complaint

We are aware that there are occasions when it’s not practical or possible to speak to your neighbour or you may have tried this approach and it hasn’t worked. In this instance we recommend you contact the team to make a complaint:

To find out how we use your information see our privacy notice (opens in a new window).

Use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools

AI tools can help you write a complaint, but there are some important things to consider.

• Use the online form: Where possible, please use our online reporting form. It asks for the information we need and is usually the quickest way to report a problem.
• Check the information: AI can provide incorrect information about legislation, council powers, or how complaints are investigated. Please make sure any information generated by AI is accurate before submitting it.
• Tell us how it affects you: The most important part of a complaint is your own account of the problem. Please explain how the issue affects your daily life, your home, or your family in your own words.
• Keep it relevant: AI-generated complaints can be longer than necessary and may include information that is not relevant to your case. This can make complaints harder to assess and may lead to delays.
• Our investigation process: We investigate all complaints in line with our legal duties and established procedures. We cannot change our process based on actions or recommendations suggested by an AI tool.