Neighbor built extra window that violate my privacy.
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Neighbor built extra window that violate my privacy.
I live in Los Angeles unincorporated areas. About 2 years ago, the house behind
me built a very wide window in in the back of their house–the back of their
house may have been an addition as well, though I’m not sure. It stares directly
onto my backyard and violates my privacy. Is their action legal? If not, is there
anything I can do to make this property take their creepy window down?
P.S. Not sure if this is important, but I live in a townhouse and my property is
located at the very edge of the townhouse’s boundary. And there’s a fence
separating my backyard and that property whose not part of the townhouse.
Asked on August 3, 2019 under Real Estate Law, California
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
You may not be able to do anything: there is no law against a neighbor looking into your backyard, whether from a window or by standing on his/her deck or in his/her yard. A person may look out of their property into other properties: anything that can be seen by them from their property is legal.
If you believe the window or addition may have violated local building codes, you can report this to the town's building or code enforcement department: if there is an ordinance violation, the neighbor could be fined or forced to make changes. Be advised that it is almost certain that the neighbor will find out who complained about the town and this could easily start a "feud" with them.
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