Apply for a Light Obstruction Notice

This guide explains the steps to apply for a certificate to register a Light Obstruction Notice, including forms, fees, documents, and timelines.

Protecting a development site from future rights-to-light claims often starts long before construction begins. For developers and architects in England and Wales, one of the most effective risk-management tools is a Light Obstruction Notice (LON).

A LON operates as a notional structure that interrupts the 20-year prescriptive period required to establish a right to light. But before you can register a notice with your local authority, you must first obtain a certificate from the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber).

Why a Certificate Is Needed

The certificate is the essential first step. It confirms that the notice you intend to register has been properly deposited and publicised. Without it, your local council will not enter the LON in the Local Land Charges Register, and your notice will have no effect.

The Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) issues the certificate after it is satisfied that:

The application forms and plans are compliant.

Notices have been served or publicised as instructed.

Interested parties have had the opportunity to respond.

Once the certificate is in hand, you can move on to registration with the council.

Steps to Apply for a Light Obstruction Notice Certificate

1. Prepare the Correct Forms

You need two key forms:

Form 1 (T383) – Application for a certificate of the tribunal under the Rights of Light Act 1959

Form A (T384) – Light Obstruction Notice

These forms are available via GOV.UK and must be completed accurately. Consistency between the forms and the plans is essential.

2. Draw Compliant Plans

Your plans must show:

The servient land (the land where the notional obstruction would stand) edged red.

The dominant building (the building whose light would be affected) edged blue.

Do not outline an entire neighbouring plot unless the building covers the whole of it. Plans must be drawn to scale and meet HM Land Registry presentation standards.

3. Decide if You Need a Temporary Certificate

If a potential right to light is close to being acquired - for example, if the 20-year prescriptive period is about to complete - you may apply for a temporary certificate.

A temporary certificate lasts for 4 months.

It is designed to hold the position while the full application is processed.

It will include directions on how to serve notice of your application.

If you apply for both a temporary and full certificate, the tribunal will process them together.

4. File the Application

You can apply in three ways:

By post – enclosing forms, plans, and the fee.

By email – with documents attached.

Via HMCTS E-Filing – mandatory if you are legally represented.

Include:

Completed Forms T383 and T384.

The application plan.

The required fee.

5. Pay the Fee

As of April 2025, the fees are:

£775 for a full certificate.

£761 for a combined temporary and full certificate.

Check the Government's guidance for any update on fees. You can pay by cheque (post only), bank transfer (on request), or online (if filing via HMCTS E-Filing).

6. Follow the Tribunal’s Directions

Once your application is received:

If you requested a temporary certificate, the tribunal aims to issue it within 3 working days.

If not, the tribunal aims to issue service/publicity instructions within 5 working days.

You must then serve or publicise notice of your application exactly as directed and keep proof of service (acknowledgements, delivery confirmations).

7. Obtain the Full Certificate

When the tribunal is satisfied that all required notices have been served correctly, it will issue the full certificate. The target turnaround is 5 working days after you provide proof of service.

Keep the certificate safe: it is the document you must submit to the local authority when registering the LON.

After the Certificate: Registration with the Local Council

With the certificate in hand, the final step is to register the Light Obstruction Notice with your local council. The council records the notice in the Local Land Charges Register, giving it legal effect as if the notional obstruction had been built.

This interrupts the accrual of prescriptive rights to light for one year. If the adjoining owner does not take legal action within that time, their ability to acquire the right is permanently lost.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Poorly drawn plans – outlining too much land or failing to edge the correct buildings.

Inconsistent information – discrepancies between the forms and plans.

Late service – missing the tribunal’s deadlines for serving notices.

Assuming HM Land Registry registration – the correct place to register is with your local council, not Land Registry.

Unnecessary temporary certificate requests – only apply if rights are close to accruing.

FAQs – Steps to Apply for a Light Obstruction Notice

Who issues the certificate?
The Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber).

How long does the process take?
If documents are correct:

Temporary certificate: ~3 working days.

Service instructions: ~5 working days.

Full certificate: ~5 working days after service evidence is filed.

How much does it cost?
£775 for a full certificate, £761 for temporary + full.

What do the plans need to show?
Servient land edged red and dominant building edged blue.

Where do I register the notice once I have the certificate?
With your local council’s Local Land Charges Register.

Does the tribunal decide rights to light disputes?
No. The tribunal only certifies notices for registration. Disputes about existing rights are decided in the courts.

Conclusion - Apply for a Light Obstruction Notice

For developers and architects, applying for a certificate to register a Light Obstruction Notice is a vital first step in protecting sites from future rights to light claims. By carefully preparing forms and plans, following tribunal directions, and securing the certificate, you can move forward to registration with your local council - and gain certainty that prescriptive rights will not accrue.

How We Can Help Apply for a Light Obstruction Notice

At Anstey Horne, we work with developers and architects to manage the Light Obstruction Notice process from start to finish. We prepare compliant forms and plans, handle service requirements, and coordinate registration with local councils.

If you need advice on whether a Light Obstruction Notice is right for your project, contact our team today.

Need Expert Advice on Light Obstruction Notices?

At Anstey Horne, our specialist Rights to Light surveyors have extensive experience advising developers, property owners, and legal teams across the UK. We help identify risks, negotiate solutions, and ensure your project progresses with confidence. Contact us today to discuss how we can help resolve any Rights to Light concerns.

For more information on Light Obstruction notices see the collection of articles on all aspect of this service in our blog.

For advice on rights to light direct from one of our surveyors, please call our Rights to Light Enquiry Line on 020 4534 3138.

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