EDF want to dig up my house!

onamission_2

Apparently EDF called around on saturday while i was out to inform me that they need to dig up my kitchen or else my patio to lay a new cable supply into the house and then connect to the mains box. I have a concrete floor in my living room/kitchen. My main worry is that my house in on the market in pristine condition- what are my rights? does anyone know?

apologies for multiple posting but i'm desperate

spiro

Have they said why you need a new supply cable? If the cable needs replacing, it needs replacing and there is not much you can do about it. You need to make them aware that the house is on the market and that you could have buyers coming round at any time so they need to keep the place clean and tidy.

JC_Derby

Sounds like youve had an extension in the past thats built over the supply cable.
Have you had trouble with your supply, or are you asking for your meter to be moved? otherwise i see no reason why they need to dig up your house for your supply?
if they are needing to get into your property, id make sure they give you proper notification.

Antispam

Hope you haven't got any dead bodies under that floor

Gloomendoom

Tell them to go away and come back after you have sold the house...

No utility company or council employee has right of entry to your home without a warrant from a court. If there is a genuine emergency involving water, electricity or gas they will not knock on your door unless accompanied by a police officer.

Source

BargainGalore

That link doesn't work by the way

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Tell them to go away and come back after you have sold the house...



Source

JC_Derby

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Tell them to go away and come back after you have sold the house...



Source

thats a very aggressive stance to take. Why not wait and see what the works involved what they are for etc. IF you dont want the work doing, just say so.
Ultimately it will cost EDF money to do any works, if you dont want them doing they probably wont do them unless there is a safety issue.

Premier_2

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Tell them to go away and come back after you have sold the house...



Source

Hmmm...I wonder what will put off potential buyers most? A property with the kitchen/patio dug up, or a property with no electricity service connected?

WestonDave

One thing you might want to consider is getting advice from your solicitor about this - I have a feeling that if you sell your house in pristine condition and then in 6 months time EDF come back and force this on the new owners, the cat might get out of the bag that you knew about it, and didn't disclose it as a material issue. They might (I don't know here so ask!) have a claim against you.

Sounds to me like it is certainly worth finding out from EDF what this is all about and what the position is on reinstating the property to its current standard.

MrsTinks

Was anyone elses first thought "scam"? Please make sure you check with EDF to ensure this is genuine and not some scammer...

JC_Derby

onamission wrote: »

Apparently EDF called around on saturday while i was out to inform me that they need to dig up my kitchen or else my patio to lay a new cable supply into the house and then connect to the mains box. I have a concrete floor in my living room/kitchen. My main worry is that my house in on the market in pristine condition- what are my rights? does anyone know?

apologies for multiple posting but i'm desperate

ok first of all, if EDF are going to be renewing your service, then they will have to let you know as you will at some stage go off supply. To do this they should send you a 'card' giving a date and an estimated starting time and finishing time - ie the time you will be back on supply. and also contact details for you to get in touch with if you have any issues with this.
If they dont do this, i would suggest you dont let them in.
Do you know where your meter box is?
do you know whether your service is currently underground or overhead (it could be that they are coming to change the service from an overhead supply to an underground supply).
I think you need them to clarify what they are actually doing and what the works will involve. Until they have done that i shouldnt worry to much.
Further to that IF they are doing work, remember it is their DUTY to reinstate/make good. So if they do dig up the patio, then it has to be laid to the same standard as before. the same applies to your kitchen.
Westondave has a good point, however until EDF have given you any notification i shouldnt worry about anything, i certainly wouldnt speak to your solicitor its rather OTT imho.
EDF need to clarify their works, its not up to you to chase them at this point, its down to them to notify you, if they dont, then they are very much in the wrong.