UK Wayleave query

[jade]

Hi all,

We were recently approached by a company (PCC) offering to help us get payment for overhead electrical wires crossing the garden of our property. We looked into this and saw that this does happen (as I hadn't heard of it before) and that it is also possible to approach directly the power company (UK Power Networks in our case) for payment rather than employing a third party. We have done this, firstly to be told that their cables didn't cross our property and that they were BT wires. We then sent a picture to show this wasn't the case and they sent a surveyor out to assess it and have now agreed the cables do cross our property. They have now said that "due to the statute of limitations we are only able to make a six year backdated payment of £150".

I was wondering if anyone has had any experience of this type of thing? There doesn't seem to be an average payment scale from what I can see online but a figure of 1-4% of the property value (£200k) is commonly mentioned which would be more like £2-8k in our case. Understandably we don't want to accept a lower figure than we are possibly entitled to and I imagine UKPN would prefer to pay less rather than more but it's unclear how we would find this out (other than employing a solicitor which could eat up the payment / leave out of pocket if it did indeed turn out to be £150) The other option is now trying PCC or a similar company.They charge 20% plus VAT but don't charge of they are not successful in securing a payment (but again if we got £150 in the end it might not be worth it).

Also, any thoughts on reasons not to do this? Pros and cons are mentioned about this online too but overall it seems ok to do this unless I am missing something?

Many thanks!

[former player]

I have an electricity company wayleave across my property for an underground cable.  I get a miniscule payment by cheque for it, which is about standard.

The six years back payment is due to the statute of limitations - you can't sue for a debt which is more than 6 years old.  So you are being offered £30 a year.  Without knowing your set-up, it doesn't sound unreasonable - payments in the hundreds or more would probably be for a pylon, payments for phone masts and windturbines can be thousands.

There is a thread on the subject here

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=5221457

[jade]

Many thanks former_player, it's good to get another perspective. The payment seems ok but just wanted to check before we accept it and then find out we were entitled to more. I had seen that thread, thank you. We'll have a think and then decide over the next few days.

One more question, will they need to continue paying us each year also?

Thanks again.

[former player]

Many thanks former_player, it's good to get another perspective. The payment seems ok but just wanted to check before we accept it and then find out we were entitled to more. I had seen that thread, thank you. We'll have a think and then decide over the next few days.

One more question, will they need to continue paying us each year also?

Thanks again.

Yes, it should be an annual payment for as long as the cables are there.