A new tenant has moved in next door and erected a tall bamboo screen on the end of his veranda which now obstructs our ocean view… What are our rights? Can we request this screen be removed? – Tiffany, NSW

For 20 years we have enjoyed an ocean view from our north-east facing veranda. A new tenant has moved in next door and erected a tall bamboo screen on the end of his veranda which now obstructs our ocean view. When we tried to talk to the tenant he said “his privacy is more important than our view”. In 20 years & numerous neighbours nobody has ever attached such a structure to their veranda. What are our rights? Can we request this screen be removed?

– Tiffany, NSW

Answer: Hi Tiffany,

The best thing to do would be to first check your by-laws. Most properties include a by-law outlining how the outward appreance of its units should be, ensuring a consistent outward appreance of the units. If there is such a by-law in your property, the erection of the screen would perhaps be breaching such by-law.

We advise you check your by-laws first to find out if there is a breach, after which, you may contact your strata manager who will talk to the tenant, and try to resolve the issue.