Letter threatening to disconnect communal area electricity supply

npmaster

I came back at lunchtime to find this letter posted onto the noticeboard in our communal hallway.

It says that the communal electricity supply may be disconnected in 48 hours. I am very concerned as this means the security system will disable, the fire alarm will disable and the car park gate I presume will remain closed.

I am also concerned that I have been paying for the electricity supply under the service charge but evidently, the money hasn't been used to pay the electricity company.

I contacted the management company and they said they will get back to me but there isn't anything to worry about. So now I am naturally worried.

Has anyone experienced this issue in the past? Is this the management company's fault or the landowner? Should I anticipate unexpected charges resulting from this?

KingL2

If you own or rent a leasehold flat, then it will probably be the Freeholder's (building/landowner's) responsibility.  It will be confirmed in the leasehold agreement.  The Management company work for the Freeholder.   If they say that it's in hand, then it is probably all OK. 

 At a push, other flat owners in the block should have the name of the Freeholder. At more of a push, you could get a copy of the leasehold agreement from Her Majesty's Land Registry for an admin fee of about £30, but it will probably take more than 2 days.

From the letter, it looks like they aren't allowed to cut the supply if it affects vulnerable people, so you could buy some extra time by getting a vulnerable person to email them as described.

npmaster

I am the the leaserholder for the flat so I do have the details of the Freeholder.

If the power if cut, should I expect any additional charges to be levied against the estate?

Robin9

npmaster said:

I am the the leaserholder for the flat so I do have the details of the Freeholder.

If the power if cut, should I expect any additional charges to be levied against the estate?

Yes there will be reconnection charges.