Deeds of Grant for access

SteveLAW58

Can anyone help advise on a situation I have at the moment...

I currently live in a cul-de-sac and share ownership of land accessing the rear of the properties. This is joint owned with my neighbour.

To the rear of my property are pylons, and electrical structures, etc. I have been contacted by Western Power Distributors in regards to a deed of grant for access along this area. They are looking for consent to a deed of grant which will give them access along this. There are a number of terms and conditions stated. For this they have offered to pay my neighbour and I £500 each.

My concern is that agreeing to something like this could effect my property both at the moment but also when I come to sell it. Is a deed of grant / access a big deal on my property?

I do struggle to understand the technical nature of what they are asking. If anyone can advise on what I need to consider and whether I am being offered a fair deal it would be much appreciated!

A recent letter also contained a Terms of Years Wayleave agreement with a proposal to install a communications cable along that passage way. I would be paid £250 for that also.

G_M

It really depends on the prcise set-up and what they want to do.

I have an electricity pole just inside the front boundary of my property (virtually on the roadside but it's my land) and they pay me something (£20? I forget) every year. They also have right of access to maintain..

So how big are the pylons? What kind of vehicles/equipment might they need/want to bring across your land? How often?
If large, might they damage your roadway/access path? will they repair?
What are the T&Cs?
Is this a one-off payment or will they pay an annual rent?

A deed like this does not automatically reduce the value of your property, it really depneds on the detail. If a buyer has reason to believe the electric company will be driving tractors, bulldozers, huge cranes to maintain the pylons every week or two - Yes!

If it is a landrover once every couple of years....

rpc

We don't know the layout or what access they are proposing, so it is hard to say how bad it would be. £500 is probably a low ball offer - I wouldn't give anyone rights over my property for a trivial sum.

t the very least, you want them to agree to fund your own independent legal advice. If you agree to the deed (which is probably quite reasonable), then you must ensure that your rights are protected and the access is well defined, etc as G_M says. You would probably also benefit from someone translating legalese into layman speak (access often has nuances that aren't immedately obvious to the amateur). That will all require a solicitor, which should be one of your choice. If they won't pay for one, tell them to take a hike. Legal fees will probably be comparable to, or more than, the £500 offer.