Overhead power cable compensation

Georgeb1971

We moved into a property in March this year - there are some power lines that run across the edge of the back garden.  When looking through the property paperwork there was a letter from Thomson Broadbent dated 10 years ago about using them to negotiate a claim.  I couldn't see anywhere where this compensation had ever been agreed even though the property is nearly 20 years old so thought it was worth following up as any extra money is appreciated in these times....anyway finally received a letter back offering £6600 compensation minus 20% +vat.

So initial thought are GREAT ! The money is definitely needed at the moment to help with 4 young kids and an ever increasing mortgage etc but now I'm having doubts regarding giving up any future rights (if there are any??) also no idea if that's a good offer or bad??

We paid £335k for the property and have since paid a further £45k on  an extension.  Not sure if these values are used to work out the compensation....

Just wondered if anyone had any recent experience or advice please

Brie

Why not go direct to the power company and cut out the middleperson?

Georgeb1971

Brie said:

Why not go direct to the power company and cut out the middleperson?

Too late now.... I returned the form that was sent to the previous owner which gave my authorisation to Thomson Broadbent to look into it on my behalf - no win/no fee.
Obviously with hindsight it would perhaps have saved me 20% but at the time I didn't really even think that this still hadn't been claimed over the last 20 years.
My issue now is whether there are any down sides to accepting the payment

Jono111

There is a big downside to not accepting the payment, you will be liable for the lawyers costs if you refuse