Scottish Power Break into my house to fix fault

Randomuser9

Will try and keep as short as possible

I was on holiday and the power goes out in my house and next door.

My neighbour phones sp energy (Scottish power) who bring out generators and can't fix fault as the supply comes from my house (there is a shared fuse located in my house)

Now Scottish power decide to get a locksmith and break into my house and replace the blown fuse which restores power. They also cause damage in my house when doing this.

I am not aware any of this has happened until the power is restored.

Once home from holiday and I contact the manager involved they initially said the police were contacted to authorise entry then he went back on this and said he thought someone else contacted the police and there was some confusion.

Would the police even of authoritsed entry is the situation?

I feel uneasy that workmen were in my house without my knowledge and without me being there.

I am thinking of making a complaint but not sure what I would be looking to gain out it? 

Section62

Randomuser9 said:

I am thinking of making a complaint but not sure what I would be looking to gain out it? 

Getting them to separate your supplies so they don't have to break into your property if the same thing happens again in the future?

Carrot007

Section62 said:

Randomuser9 said:

I am thinking of making a complaint but not sure what I would be looking to gain out it? 

Getting them to separate your supplies so they don't have to break into your property if the same thing happens again in the future?

Yeah if whoever bodged the job in the first palce wants to pay for it.

I would hold out for a free key cut to give your neighhbours access to the cutout as they should have.

The_Fat_Controller

How was anything apart from the door and its lock damaged when all they did was replace a blown fuse ?

Do you have photographic evidence of the alleged damage ?

If there really was damage anyone in their right mind wouldn't be "thinking of making a complaint" but would be asking for compensation for the damages and a resolution to prevent the same scenario happening again.

Robin9

Section62 said:

Randomuser9 said:

I am thinking of making a complaint but not sure what I would be looking to gain out it? 

Getting them to separate your supplies so they don't have to break into your property if the same thing happens again in the future?

Odd that two properties should share a common fuse. Has there been a house converted to flats on the cheap?

molerat

SP will have the statutory right to break into your house if necessary to carry out emergency repairs to their equipment.  You have the right to be compensated for any damage they have caused.  End of.  You need to get your supplies separated so there will be no need for this to happen in the future. I suspect some sort of bodge property separation has been carried out at some time in the past.

rp1974

99% certain that any energy company can gain entry,by force if necessary in the event of an emergency fault,which this may have been.
Would you prefer that your house burned down due to a neglected fault?.
Was any attempt made to contact you,or anybody who could have allowed access?.
You should be annoyed about whatever damage they caused though,claim from their insurers and if possible get your supplies separated.

Randomuser9

Thanks for the replies

I should of mentioned they have been back since and installed 2 separate fuses but both are located in my house so doesn't really help the same thing from happening again

My house is a ex council house and hasn't been split into a flat or anything like that I presume it was done to save money when the houses were built. 

The damage is too a cupboard door which they have said the will reimburse if I get repaired

It was them breaking into my house I was wondering whether to complain about or not 

Randomuser9

I don't believe any attempt was made to contact me apart from ringing the door bell 

Carrot007

Randomuser9 said:

Thanks for the replies

I should of mentioned they have been back since and installed 2 separate fuses but both are located in my house so doesn't really help the same thing from happening again

My house is a ex council house and hasn't been split into a flat or anything like that I presume it was done to save money when the houses were built. 

The damage is too a cupboard door which they have said the will reimburse if I get repaired

It was them breaking into my house I was wondering whether to complain about or not 

Nothing to complain over. They have a right of access and are paying you for the damage.

Maybe go halfs with the neighbour to split the 1000s to get a new supply for them if you do not like it, though they can still gain entry if they suspect there is a safety issue in your house at any time.

Ectophile

At one time it was normal to loop through electricity supplies from one house to another.  With semi-detached houses with meter cupboards on opposite sides of the party wall, or terraced houses, it was a way to save money by only running one cable in from the street.