Right of light insurance
Insurance policies are available to protect developers from the risk of possible future claims resulting from infringements of rights of light.
Cases such as HKRUK II v Heaney (2010) have highlighted the legal system's increased willingness to award an injunction against the developer rather than simply awarding compensation to the injured parties. The costs of compensation/damages can be significant; sometimes being based on up to 30% or more of the developer's profit. The consequences of an injunction will in most cases be even more costly than a damages claim – particularly if it involves demolition of part of a completed building.
In order to allow a development to proceed, a developer can take out an insurance policy to protect themselves from a range of potential costs. The extent of cover will vary from insurer to insurer.
Typically, insurance will cover:
- Legal costs involved in addressing claims.
- Compensation settlements.
- Abortive design and construction costs.
- Loss in land value in the event the developer's project is permanently halted or curtailed by the court.
This article was written by --Right_of_Light_Consulting
[edit] Find out more
Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
External references
Featured articles and news
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.
Digital technology, transformation and cybersecurity
Supporting SMEs through Digitalisation in Construction.
Villa Wolf in Gubin, history and reconstruction. Book review.
Construction contract awards down one billion pounds
Decline over the past two months compared to the same period last year, follows the positive start to the year.
Editor's broadbrush view on forms of electrical heating in context.
The pace of heating change; BSRIA market intelligence
Electric Dreams, Boiler Realities.
New President of ECA announced
Ruth Devine MBE becomes the 112th President of the Electrical Contractors Association.
New CIAT Professional Standards Competency Framework
Supercedes the 2019 Professional Standards Framework from 1 May 2025.