Am I entitled to compensation? Supply shut off

sold0wt

Hello,

Just over a week ago there was a major fire in the neighbouring building to ours. It was a weed farm and they'd played around with the electrics and gas which meant that they couldn't isolate the building and therefore shut off our street.

Now it gets a little bit complicated as we were "technically" asked to evacuate due the concern that next door would collapse. But we are a block of flats and were told that our flat was perfectly safe but there would be no point coming back anyway as there is no gas or electricity.

It's been a week since the fire now and we've stayed in an airbnb provided by our landlord. They have told us today that the building work is complete but they still won't connect the gas and electricity for another 2-3 days (no real explanation as to why) so even though we are absolutely fine to stay in our flat now, there still won't be any supply.

So my question is... are we entitled to any compensation due to the lack of power or will it be denied as this was a request from emergency services?

Obviously we weren't terribly inconvenienced but nowadays anything we can claw back from the suppliers is incredibly appreciated!

All comments appreciated, thanks!

sold0wt

Additional information: Our network suppliers are UK Power Network and SGN

[Deleted User]

I doubt it as you werent actually living in the property at the time of having no power. They wont move you back into the flat with no power as they have to make sure everything is safe and working correctly. (health and safety)

MWT

sold0wt said:

So my question is... are we entitled to any compensation due to the lack of power or will it be denied as this was a request from emergency services?

As far as I know, this is not covered by the guaranteed service standards unfortunately.

sold0wt

Deleted_User said:

I doubt it as you werent actually living in the property at the time of having no power. They wont move you back into the flat with no power as they have to make sure everything is safe and working correctly. (health and safety)

Interesting - I sort of assumed as much but these next three days are the bit I'm interested in. We have been given full sign off to return by the surveyor but there won't be any gas or electricity until Monday/Tuesday so this weekend we are absolutely only staying in this airbnb due to lack of power/gas

Flight3287462

You've been put in alternative accommodation by your landlord, which is costing someone.  So you have gas and electric which you won't even be paying for so that sounds like a win to me.

I can't see how you can blame your supply company.

sold0wt

Flight3287462 said:

You've been put in alternative accommodation by your landlord, which is costing someone.  So you have gas and electric which you won't even be paying for so that sounds like a win to me.

I can't see how you can blame your supply company.

If there were a power cut due to a storm for several days I may stay at a relatives house - just because they paid for the electricity whilst I was there doesn't mean I wouldn't claim compensation?

Flight3287462

What do you mean if there was a storm?  Life is full of whatabouteries.

sold0wt

Flight3287462 said:

What do you mean if there was a storm?  Life is full of whatabouteries.

Well I know, but my point is, whether I have alternative accommodation should be irrelevant to the claim no? In all other cases of compensation people could find alternative accommodation if they want? 

If I'd been on holiday during a power cut I would still be eligible for a claim?

I have very little morals when it comes to energy companies at present.

MWT

Nothing stops you from trying to get compensation, fill out the form and see what happens...

What you have described doesn't fit into any of the 'standards' as it is a small small local event that was not precipitated by a natural disaster or general equipment failure and was not prolonged by a failure to respond, but try and let us know how it goes...

sold0wt

Thanks I'll give it a go and update here