National Grid - Built over service

simmysi

We bought our house 3 years ago. It was original apart from a garage extension/conversion that was done by previous owners 30 years ago.

Today a letter has popped through the post from National Grid stating that we have a built over service and we will require a site survey to establish charges that may apply to have the gas pipes moved. The gas meter sits in our utility, so the extension the previous owners did does go over it.

I just wondered if anyone else had any experience of this and what are my rights here? It's come totally out of the blue, was never picked up on any survey etc.

Given I didn't do the work and it was all passed with planning/building regs etc many years ago. Could I end up with a large bill or alternatively face disconnection?

Many thanks

MeterMan

We report these quite alot and rightfully so, there is a danger that the extension is putting more stress on the underground pipes than they are designed to do.

I don't think you will incur any charges as you yourself didnt build over the service.

They have powers of entry, so its best to let them do what they need to do.

simmysi

Yep, I don't want to avoid getting it altered if there is any real danger - but it's been as it is for 30 years without issue - so to dig my garden up (and possibly charge me for the trouble) I'd ideally want a decent reason.

I wasn't sure if there was any precedence regarding under what conditions we would be liable to foot the cost of the work - that is my main concern, having read horror stories of £3000 to move a meter 4ft etc.

ChumpusRex

I think the only way you might be able to get out of paying is if the extension was built in the 60s before it was forbidden to build over a gas pipe.

If it was built in the 70s or after, I don't think you'll be able to get out paying. It's your building, so it's your problem.

You might be able to claim the cost off your household insurance, but they may argue that it was a pre-existing fault when you bought it.

In general, once NG pick up on an issue like this, they won't drop it. There are generally only two outcomes - 1, you pay to have the pipe moved. 2, NG disconnect the gas.

simmysi

Just in case anyone else has the same issue.

I gave NG a call this morning any they said the standard procedure would be to move the meter to the exterior of the property and (importantly) in most cases if you were not the person to do the building over of the service then you would not be liable for the cost of the work. I assume I'll have to prove that in some way.