Letter from Thomson Broadbent about overhead electricity lines

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cliveg29
cliveg29 Posts: 6 Forumite
Hi all...not sure if this is the right section, but I couldn't find anything else suitable.

I have had a letter from a company called Thomas Broadbent - property compensation specialists - addressed to "Dear Homeowner". Apparently I am entitled to claim compensation "equivalent to the adverse affect on market value from the electricity company in exchange for the right to have their lines over your property".

If I want to pursue a claim, they will handle it for me...no win, no fee. They will charge 10% of any compensation I do receive.

Anyone else had this letter?...is it genuine? Can I actually make a claim on my electricity supplier for living under the electricity lines?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Clive
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  • espresso
    espresso Posts: 16,446 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
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    Which was there first, the electricity line or the property?
    :doh: Blue text on this forum usually signifies hyperlinks, so click on them!..:wall:
  • barncopxx
    barncopxx Posts: 117 Forumite
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    cliveg29 wrote: »
    Hi all...not sure if this is the right section, but I couldn't find anything else suitable.

    I have had a letter from a company called Thomas Broadbent - property compensation specialists - addressed to "Dear Homeowner". Apparently I am entitled to claim compensation "equivalent to the adverse affect on market value from the electricity company in exchange for the right to have their lines over your property".

    If I want to pursue a claim, they will handle it for me...no win, no fee. They will charge 10% of any compensation I do receive.

    Anyone else had this letter?...is it genuine? Can I actually make a claim on my electricity supplier for living under the electricity lines?

    Any advice greatly appreciated.

    Thanks,
    Clive
    Yes, they are a genuine company and they do do what they say. I had the same sort of letter from them when a bypass was built reasonably near to our house, I took them up on it and I received 2K in compensation from the Highways Agency via them. It took around 2 1/2 years, but the bypass had to be open for a year before the claim could even be submitted. On the couple of occasions I telephoned them for updates I found them very helpful. Hope this helps.
  • cliveg29
    cliveg29 Posts: 6 Forumite
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    Thanks for your replies...it's appreciated.

    Expresso...I think the house was there first, but can't be sure.

    Cheers for now,
    Clive
  • Premier_2
    Premier_2 Posts: 15,141 Forumite
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    I think the question expresso should have asked was:

    "Were the powerlines in place when you bought the property?"

    If they were, I can't really see how you have suffered any adverse affect on the market price of the property.

    If they weren't, employ your own solicitor and you'll get to keep 100% of the compensation awarded. The solicitor should be able to claim their costs from the defendant meaning you won't end up paying those fees either.
    "Now to trolling as a concept. .... Personally, I've always found it a little sad that people choose to spend such a large proportion of their lives in this way but they do, and we have to deal with it." - MSE Forum Manager 6th July 2010
  • espresso
    espresso Posts: 16,446 Forumite
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    Premier wrote: »
    I think the question expresso should have asked was:

    "Were the powerlines in place when you bought the property?"

    Does it really matter who bought the property if the power lines were already there? Surely the value of the property would have already been adversely affected by the overhead power lines.
    :doh: Blue text on this forum usually signifies hyperlinks, so click on them!..:wall:
  • Premier_2
    Premier_2 Posts: 15,141 Forumite
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    espresso wrote: »
    Does it really matter who bought the property if the power lines were already there? Surely the value of the property would have already been adversely affected by the overhead power lines.
    Exactly :)

    The only person to have incurred any possible loss would be the person who bought the house before the powerlines were installed and owned it during their installation.

    The uncertain response by the OP suggested that they bought the property with the powerlines installed, so they have incurred no loss or adverse affect on market value.
    "Now to trolling as a concept. .... Personally, I've always found it a little sad that people choose to spend such a large proportion of their lives in this way but they do, and we have to deal with it." - MSE Forum Manager 6th July 2010
  • jmoriarty
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    Clive

    I received a similar letter from another company a few years ago. I thought it was a con and threw it away. 18 months later I got another letter. I left it on the sideboard and did not do anything. 1 week later the next door neighbour called and asked if I had received a letter. I told him that it I had kept this one but had done nothing. He then told me that another neighbour down the road had been approached a year ago and received an offer of £20K.

    Anyway to cut a long story short we took up the offer in the letter and after a period of 2 years received £21K less the 10%. In our small road in Pinner 6 properties received offers of between £18k - £21K. 5 have accepted 1 is holding out for more! It is inportant to note the offer is based on the value of your property. In our cases in Pinner they ranged from £470k - £600K.

    I only responded to your message as like you I am very cynical and if the neighbour did not speak to me I would not have done anything and have been none the wiser. I quickly read the previous responses to your letter and can confirm that it does not matter if the overhead lines were there before the building. As long as no previous owner of the property or the land it was built on has entered into an agreement with the electricity supplier that owns the power lines.

    The Company I dealt with was Seraph Surveying Services based in the Midlands.

    I haven't spent the compensation, it's in an account waiting to pay the student loans my son is racking up.

    Good luck! Let me know if you require any more information.

    John
  • snaz9533
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    cliveg29 wrote: »
    Hi all...not sure if this is the right section, but I couldn't find anything else suitable.

    I have had a letter from a company called Thomas Broadbent - property compensation specialists - addressed to "Dear Homeowner". Apparently I am entitled to claim compensation "equivalent to the adverse affect on market value from the electricity company in exchange for the right to have their lines over your property".

    If I want to pursue a claim, they will handle it for me...no win, no fee. They will charge 10% of any compensation I do receive.

    Anyone else had this letter?...is it genuine? Can I actually make a claim on my electricity supplier for living under the electricity lines?

    Any advice greatly appreciated.

    Thanks,
    Clive


    Hi Clive,

    I have also received a letter from this company for a motorway been built near my home, however i have thrown the letter away and have no means to contact them, i wonder if you would be so good to pass on their contact details to me so i may contact them

    Kind Regards

    Neil Snazel
  • Kez100
    Kez100 Posts: 2,236 Forumite
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    We are paid a Wayleave for a pole in our garden which then has various lines leaving it. Can we claim?
  • Pink_fluff
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    Claim for what Kez100? If you are already being paid by the company, what are you looking to claims for?
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