56 replies to this topic

[neoclassicalguy]

I own a duplex and need to get a new neighbor on the other side. I'm not sure how to talk to them about keeping the back porch light off. The last family never ran the porch lights. My yard is so small lights inside the house effect the entire back yard. I already have to jam myself and the scope into two corners because of the street lights. If I can't observe from home, I'm seriously going to give up and sell off my gear. Once a month May to Oct (I can't do the cold weather anymore) at a site an hour away with the club won't cut it.

[vtornado]

Have you asked them? 

I have a neighbor and he agreed, and told me to call if not too late and he would shut them off.

 

Can you make a hood,  to go over the porch light, or a close in screen to reflect the light somewhere else?

[neoclassicalguy]

We just put the half of the house on the market and have ppl stopping to take a look. I expect serious inquiries will start in a couple of days. Maybe I can talk to them or put something into the lease, but the realtor and others are already starting with "you can't ask people to do that/they want lights/safety etc." 

[Jim4321]

Years ago, I found a small, well-shielded porch light fixture at Home Depot for about $15-20.  That and a low-watt yellow bug bulb, no more issues.

 

Jim H.

[SandyHouTex]

We just put the half of the house on the market and have ppl stopping to take a look. I expect serious inquiries will start in a couple of days. Maybe I can talk to them or put something into the lease, but the realtor and others are already starting with "you can't ask people to do that/they want lights/safety etc." 

Actually you can put that in the lease.

[ShaulaB]

Can you text the new renters to ask them not to turn on their porch lights when you are observing?

 

As the owner, can you install black-out curtains so that the lights, tv, whatever inside their place do not leak out and bother your observing?

 

As the owner, can you just un-install the offending light?

 

To protect yourself, I am sure you want to meet anyone who will be renting from you. A nice talk with them with coffee and a plate of cookies might bring them around to being good neighbors.

[TOMDEY]

re' → "going to give up and sell off my gear" Have you considered keeping your gear and selling your house and moving dark rural? Honest, I did that over forty years ago and it worked out beautifully! Way back then, they were putting in a giant Shopping Maul close to our otherwise niceish suburban neighborhood. I disgust that topic with my wife and we decided to get the inferno outa there. Sometimes the prisons we suffer are of our own choosing. Worth considering?    Tom

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[DLuders]

You could invite your new neighbor over to your telescope, and have him/her view something that would be interesting,  If it's obvious that the light interferes with viewing, that is the opportunity to ask that the light be turned off (at least for that observing session).  Once the neighbor sees the before-and-after view, it may be easier to have them turn off the light when you ask later.  

[neoclassicalguy]

Years ago, I found a small, well-shielded porch light fixture at Home Depot for about $15-20.  That and a low-watt yellow bug bulb, no more issues.

 

Jim H.

Jim,

Do you have a link?

 

I already keep the light fixture precarious -if someone puts in a brighter bulb the antique fixture will most likely break internally from twisting. I also have the dullest Chinese bulb I can find in it too.  

[John Fitzgerald]

We just put the half of the house on the market and have ppl stopping to take a look. I expect serious inquiries will start in a couple of days. Maybe I can talk to them or put something into the lease, but the realtor and others are already starting with "you can't ask people to do that/they want lights/safety etc." 

Realtors don't care about you, only money..  Put it in the lease, that they will only turn the light on when they are actively using it.  Or, you could simply remove the fixture, and put a flat plate on it.  You own the property.  do with it as you please.

[neoclassicalguy]

Realtors don't care about you, only money..  Put it in the lease, that they will only turn the light on when they are actively using it.  Or, you could simply remove the fixture, and put a flat plate on it.  You own the property.  do with it as you please.

I've been told by the realtor and other ppl that rent, that the light needs to be thre and functioning or we could face a lawsuit if there is an injury. 

[Jim4321]

Jim,

Do you have a link?

 

....

 

 I looked thru HD's website, but there's not really anything very close.  I guess their buyers' tastes have changed in the past ~15 years.  It's a small bell-shaped fixture, about 8" across at the open end, and just deep enough to completely contain the bulb.  The outside finish is probably what they'd call 'rubbed bronze'.  

 

If I was in your situation, I might spray paint the inner part of whatever I ended up with a dull grey.

 

Jim H.

[neoclassicalguy]

I ordered 3 different baffles at the Home Despot to see what will fit and stay up the best. I'll be putting on my nice face to talk to prospective renters and the actual ones, and see about a clause in the lease. I'm also looking for a motion sensor for that porch. This has had me so stressed out my stomach is off. Maybe I'll find nice renters that will be cool.  

[neoclassicalguy]

re' → "going to give up and sell off my gear" Have you considered keeping your gear and selling your house and moving dark rural? Honest, I did that over forty years ago and it worked out beautifully! Way back then, they were putting in a giant Shopping Maul close to our otherwise niceish suburban neighborhood. I disgust that topic with my wife and we decided to get the inferno outa there. Sometimes the prisons we suffer are of our own choosing. Worth considering?    Tom

Selling isn't really an option. We like where we live, the schools are great, I don't need a car to get around except for emergencies and vacation. Too many good things to leave. 

[TOMDEY]

Selling isn't really an option. We like where we live, the schools are great, I don't need a car to get around except for emergencies and vacation. Too many good things to leave. 

Actually... that's ample reason to stay and enjoy. If the relationship is tenant/landlord... just write that noninterference re' light trespass right into the contract. Other lights in the neighborhood could be a concern, but at least this one can be entirely under your control. And switching to some other hobby might actually be the most comfortable solution. Maybe switch to solar observing? The sun is very active now and will be for years to come. Light pollution becomes completely irrelevant, and you can sleep at night!     Tom

[Chad7531]

I feel your pain. Except for Solar and the occasional planetary session at home I only observe a couple times a month at my dark site about an hour away during new moons. Even doing planetary at home the glares from numerous streetlights pose problems.

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Edited by Chad7531, 04 May 2023 - 10:21 PM.

[John Fitzgerald]

If I was as non confrontational as some people, I wouldn't own anything here.  My entire property would be encroached on.  Last week, I caught the business to the south of my property dumping gravel, rocks, and broken concrete over the property line by over 4 feet.  I had to confront them (in writing) about it, and have them remove the debris before it became an issue. Property owners need to be assertive, and put things in writing, or people will take advantage.  Don't be a milquetoast, is my advice.

[dnrmilspec]

I agree with those who said. put it in the lease. 

 

Real estate people are not lawyers.  If the tenants are in the yard using it after dark there is really nothing you ought to do.  But you can pick your renters. 

 

Put a red bulb in the offending light.  Put in the lease that this is a condition of rental.  Then be the nicest and kindest landlord ever.  In the current market you will not have any trouble finding a tenant. 

[star acres]

Let me take a stab at this. Wire their porch light to your switch. Can't? Remove it right now. Realtor? Lots of houses and rentals in my town change hands without realtors. There are many optimum places to post your rental. Rules? Try to get your peace without some cubicle typing up your control of a neighbor you never met. Write your own rules? You're taking a huge chance that your lease is illegal, obnoxious, or a risk. If your neighbors need lights, what they really need is enjoyment and functionality. Safe stairs. A yard free of dangerous objects that kids can poke an eye out on in the dark. I've had noisy neighbors with roudy kids and odd hours and my brain just reset because I liked them. I had a neighbor who sounded really rude and nasty to his wife one door away. I stayed non-judgemental until I found out they were lovebirds with manners and consideration and really nice kids getting ready for college. It won't be someone else's fault your house and yard are attached to theirs. They might even like your telescope.

[TOMDEY]

Realtors, lawyers, leases, liabilities, literal and metaphorical turf wars... Whew; Pandora's Box of potential issues! The comments remind me re' why we moved "remote rural" decades ago! Dark skies, clean air, fauna, flora, large "undeveloped" properties, and well-spaced like-minded good neighbors who like it that way. We just discuss and sort things out, handshake, with never an unresolved problem.    Tom

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[Diana N]

I've been told by the realtor and other ppl that rent, that the light needs to be thre and functioning or we could face a lawsuit if there is an injury. 

A light needs to be there and functional.  Who says it has to be THAT light?  Replace the fixture with an IDA-compliant one with a low-wattage, warm-light LED and a good light shield before your tenants move in.  Problem solved!

[neoclassicalguy]

A light needs to be there and functional.  Who says it has to be THAT light?  Replace the fixture with an IDA-compliant one with a low-wattage, warm-light LED and a good light shield before your tenants move in.  Problem solved!

I found some baffles that look like they may work. I also have a very dull (13 watts putting out much less) cheap, warm, old bulb in the fixture. The shields shuldd be here on the 10th. 

[FirstSight]

I found some baffles that look like they may work. I also have a very dull (13 watts putting out much less) cheap, warm, old bulb in the fixture. The shields shuldd be here on the 10th. 

If you are the owner of the entire duplex and this concerns a prospective lease of the other dwelling unit, do BOTH of two things::

1) put a condition in the lease agreement about the permissible conditions and restrictions on the back yard light.  Be sure to label that clause as "of the essence" and enforceable by your right to terminate the lease.

2) ALSO, before you enter the lease agreement, go ahead and change the fixture out to one that is night-sky friendly.  And in the lease agreement, prohibit changing out the night-sky friendly fixture for other types of light fixtures.

[John Fitzgerald]

That light, when standing about 10 feet away, should appear no brighter than the full moon.  It will still be adequate.  A porch light is not supposed to light the entire back yard like a sports stadium.

[neoclassicalguy]

All 3 of the baffles would not fit the light, or the bulb with the light (ie fit the fixture, but can't put in a bulb). I'm not sre what to try next besides diplomacy when we get someone in there. I'm thinking of strategically placing 4 of these on the porch. 

 

https://www.amazon.c..._ci_mcx_mi&th=1