Overhead power line compensation.

You almost certainly do have a right, but the DNO has the right to run its lines wherever it needs to: those rights are likely to conflict (see 1.4 of DECC's Guidance for Applicants and Landowners and/or Occupiers (July 2010, rev. June 2013)).

Even apart from that, look at it from the DNO's point of view: no one wants electrical gear on their property, so where the devil can it go?

But I have a friend who lives in a listed house with an extraordinary view. Years before he'd moved in SWEB had ruined that view with an 11kV line to the neighbouring farm. After a certain amount of tense negotiation the line was undergrounded, the cost being shared between SWEB and him. So it can be done.


TSC

I can’t think why not; but a solicitor, or one of the companies mentioned in this thread, would give better advice.

TSC

Having recently been contacted by TBC Ltd I've read every post in every thread on MSE forums, about Wayleave payments. We have 2 poles in our garden and inherited a Wayleave payment of £30 per year (for both poles) from the previous occupants. TBC Ltd first suggested we allow them to act for us in negotiating a Wayleave payment for the 'High Voltage' equipment affecting our land. Up to £25,000 was possible, according to their blurb. I wrote a short email in return, pointing out that the equipment was actually Low Voltage (great research, guys!) and asking if this made any difference. Within 24 hours an identical letter arrived, this time refrerencing Low Voltage equipment, and citing up to £1000 compo.

I tend to agree that it's unlikely we would get any more by appointing them as agents, given we had checked with our provider directly, shortly after completing on our house sale. TBC Ltd charge 20% but there is, potentially, an additional fee of unknown cost, as described in item 3 of their "Terms of Engagement".

This says that (quote) "In addition to the commission referred to in (2) above, the Company (TBC Ltd) will also be entitled to any agents/surveyors fee which the electricity network is prepared to award. The relevant electricity fee is payable by the electricity network (normally directly to the Company) and is separate from and in addition to the consideration paid to the landowner in respect of the grant of a new Wayleave or easement, however, in the event that the electricity network fail to pay the surveyors fee in part or in full, the shortfall will become payable from the compensation monies in addition to the commission in (2) above" (end quote).

So, there's a chance we would pay 20% commission plus the unstated and unkowable full or part cost of a surveyor fee. And the process can take "up to 24 months".

No thanks.

Hi all


Very informative thread - thanks to everyone for sharing.


We've recently moved into a property which has an existing Wayleave in place from the 1960's and the previous owners still received about £18 per year from the Electricity company. The agreement was valid for 23 years and thereafter is on an annual basis.


My question is, can we, as new owners, approach the electicity company and re-negotiate the wayleave in the hope of getting a lump sum rather than the annual payment? If so, any idea of what figure we could expect and would it be worth going through a solicitor?


We have two 11kV wooden poles in our garden, one of which has a transformer on it.


Hope you can shed some light.


Badger