What is a light nuisance?
- A light nuisance happens when bright or poorly placed lights bother nearby people. It could be from security lights, floodlights, or other bright lights that shine into homes or gardens. If the light is too strong, shines for a long time, or stops you from sleeping, it can be a nuisance. You can tell us online if a nuisance disrupts the enjoyment of your home or harms your health.
Examples of a light nuisance:
- Bright security lights shining into windows at night.
- Bright advertising or shopfront lights near homes.
- Floodlights from sports facilities or industrial sites used late at night.
What the law says
We can investigate complaints about light nuisances. This is under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA). This would make it a statutory nuisance. A statutory nuisance is defined as something that:
- Interferes with the use or enjoyment of your home in an unreasonable manner.
- Injures health or is likely to injure health.
What you can do about light nuisances
You can have a friendly word with your neighbour about the problem. This is if you feel safe doing so. For help, see our 'top tips for approaching neighbours.' If the issue continues, you can submit a nuisance complaint.
Reporting a light nuisance
To report a light nuisance, you will need to provide:
-
A 14-day light nuisance diary and attach a copy to your form (below).
You will also need to provide:
- Where the light is coming from. Include the address or a nearby location if you do not know the exact address.
- The times when the incident occurs. How often it happens, and how it affects you.
- A 14-day light nuisance diary to show that the problem is ongoing.
- Any relevant evidence to support your complaint.
Why you need to provide a 14-day nuisance diary
For us to act on a complaint, an officer needs to see the problem from your property. Your diary helps us plan a visit at the right time and shows that the problem happens often and affects your life.
What happens next:
- An officer will review your report within five working days.
- Based on your report, we will decide whether to proceed. We may visit the site or contact the responsible parties. We may ask for more evidence from you if we need it.
- If the light is a nuisance, we will issue an abatement notice. It will need a resolution of the issue.
- Failure to follow an abatement notice can lead to fines. The fines could be up to £5,000 for domestic cases. Or £20,000 for commercial cases, or further legal action.