How can I protect my privacy when my neighbor is constantly looking into my garden?
March 1, 2022 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Nina König
Dear lawyer,
I am reaching out to you because I am very concerned about my privacy. My neighbor, Mr. Müller, lives right next to me and has a higher terrace from which he constantly looks into my garden. I feel very uncomfortable about this and want to protect my privacy.
The situation is that Mr. Müller apparently enjoys spending time on his terrace and looking directly into my garden. I have already tried to talk to him about it, but he responded dismissively and said that he has the right to sit on his terrace and look wherever he wants.
I feel very watched and would like to find solutions to protect my privacy. I have considered installing a privacy screen or tall hedges, but I am unsure if that is legally allowed. Are there legal regulations that could help me in this situation? What options do I have to maintain my privacy without violating neighbor laws?
I hope you can assist me with this matter and provide me with possible solutions.
Thank you in advance.
Sincerely,
Clara König
Dear Clara König,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding your concerns about your privacy in relation to your neighbor Mr. Müller. It is understandable that you feel uncomfortable when you feel like you are being constantly watched. In such cases, it is important to familiarize yourself with the legal regulations in neighborhood law in order to take appropriate measures.
First and foremost, it is important to know that neighborhood law grants every property owner the right to unrestricted use of their property. This means that Mr. Müller essentially has the right to sit on his terrace and look wherever he pleases. However, there are also limits to this right, especially when it comes to the privacy of the neighbor.
In your case, a possible solution could be the installation of a privacy screen. You have the right to take measures on your property to protect your privacy. Installing tall hedges or a privacy fence could be an effective way to prevent Mr. Müller from seeing into your garden. However, such measures should be in compliance with local building regulations to avoid causing any legal issues.
It is important that you talk to Mr. Müller about your concerns and explain to him why your privacy is important to you. Perhaps you can find a solution together that is acceptable to both parties. If this is not possible, you may also consider taking legal action to protect your interests.
In any case, I recommend that you seek advice from a lawyer specializing in neighborhood law to receive a well-founded legal assessment of your situation and discuss possible courses of action.
I hope that my response was helpful to you and wish you good luck in resolving your issue.
Sincerely,
Nina König, Attorney at Law
