Electricity Compensation - Wayleave Payment

LolekUK

We have recently moved to a property where previous owner started a process with northern powergrid to compensate 1 single pole and 2 undeground wires going through our land. They've been offered one-off payment of £280 and the contract to be signed for 30 years. I'm going to follow it up with them as a new owner but thought I'll ask if £280 is all that this is worth? or perhaps worth asking for little bit more?

e.g. this website states it could be up to 5% of the property value, which could mean - far more than £280. Not entirely believing in this article as I've read few other posts here, and usually it's only few £

Thoughts?

Falafels

My previous property had a wayleave. The compensation payment did increase slightly year on year, and I received around £35 per annum for a single pole and two underground wires in 2020. While it's nothing like 5% of the property value, it's certainly more than 280/30, and you might be better off asking for annual payments.

Davesnave

5% of the property value would be wonderful compensation for a minor inconvenience!

We have 3 poles and a number of stays and receive something over £40 p.a. but we're with Western Power here and maybe all distributors have their own payment scale. I wouldn't say £280 is derisory, bearing in mind that Openreach made us a one off payment of around £170 for a single pole in 2012.

AdrianC

I believe the payment amount is standardised.

We have a transformer, several poles, stays, and a section of underground cable - and get about £25/yr.

Justonemorecupoftea

My parents have a telephone pole in their garden and receive £16 per year for the pleasure (well, that was about 10 years ago, it may have gone up since then, but it's essentially a token amount).

Fubar1953

I was totally unaware of wayleave payments until very recently. I have been in my present self-build bungalow since 2001 and on part of my land is a single wooden pole with stay and overhead power lines going to another pole outwith my land. From the pole on my land there is underground cabling to my own house plus two other properties. I contacted Scottish Power Networks and they have sent me some wayleave forms to sign along with a breakdown of what they are offering to pay. For the pole and associated cabling their annual amount is only £18.67 and are offering a one-off payment of £186.70 - this I initially presumed was for the ten years I have missed out on since 2001 but, confusingly, they then go on to say they will also make a "six year back payment" of £112. I havn't yet signed the wayleave document and was wondering if one of those specialist companies would be able to get a better deal from SP Networks.

Cheery_Daff

The previous owner of our house signed a permanent wayleave for the telegraph poles (several) for £500 I think. We signed a 17 year wayleave with Western Power for £2000 for several electricity poles and a transformer (they offered £84 a year - the higher lump sum guarantees access without having to renegotiate every year).

canaldumidi

They are standard amounts and you won't get rich from them.

I have a single electricity pole and get around £6 pa.

user1977

Those sound like fairly standard rates for one pole - I doubt it's going to be worthwhile paying somebody to negotiate them for you.

Fubar1953

user1977 said:

Those sound like fairly standard rates for one pole - I doubt it's going to be worthwhile paying somebody to negotiate them for you.

Thanks for the replies. I have asked them about the back payment and apparently six years is the maximum amount they can pay. Looks like it isn't worth pursuing it any further so will sign their document and accept what is on offer.