Blocking neighbours' views ‘not always illegal’

When property owners find that their views are about to be reduced, or obliterated, by a neighbour’s home extensions there is very little they can do about it, says Bill Rawson of the Rawson property group. This is because all properties in that area, although initially sized appropriately for their plots, would have had the right to extend upwards or sideways from the time their plans were first approved.

“The moral of the story, therefore, is to check the zoning rules that apply to your street before you buy and if the loss of a view will be distressing to you, consider buying elsewhere or at the very least be aware of the risk you are taking.” Rawson said Agents too must shoulder some of the responsibility. It is their role to alert owners to the possibility that building activity on adjacent properties might affect their view. He said that sometimes agents do not look into this matter with sufficient care.

The Star, IOL Property News - May 2014