Advice on my elec supply

[AndyPRK]

Down stairs looks ok to me. earth could be better though

 

[securespark]

Are the "tubes" visible in each photo the same diameter (ie the end of the same continuous enclosure)? Or are they separate things?

Where does the tube into which the cables disappear go to?

 

[aptsys]

There doesn't appear to be anything immediately dangerous. There's no sub-meter, so I can't see how anyone can just "cut you off". Unless you get a notice from the DNO I would just forget all about it. If downstairs want to pay for a new supply to your property then that is up to them.

 

[NBee]

Down stairs looks ok to me. earth could be better though

There doesn't appear to be anything immediately dangerous. There's no sub-meter, so I can't see how anyone can just "cut you off". Unless you get a notice from the DNO I would just forget all about it. If downstairs want to pay for a new supply to your property then that is up to them.

They could cut us off by just detaching that cable, surely!

It's the DNO that is asking for this to be done. They are replacing that whole cutout (it's old and unreliable apparently) - but they say the cables are too brittle to risk re-attaching to the new one. But that's outside their area of responsibility, so they're asking for us to do it. As it feeds my property, the landlord downstairs is saying it's for me to do.

I'm really confused at this point, to be honest

 

[aptsys]

They could cut us off by just detaching that cable, surely!

It's the DNO that is asking for this to be done. They are replacing that whole cutout (it's old and unreliable apparently) - but they say the cables are too brittle to risk re-attaching to the new one. But that's outside their area of responsibility, so they're asking for us to do it. As it feeds my property, the landlord downstairs is saying it's for me to do.

I'm really confused at this point, to be honest

Have they written/spoken to you directly?

 

[winston1]

They could cut us off by just detaching that cable, surely!

Don't think they are allowed to do that. You could be vulnerable, they are not to know.

 

[NBee]

Have they written/spoken to you directly?

The DNO spoke to my neighbour when they visited to inspect the work. I later phoned the DNO and they confirmed the situation.

 

[winston1]

Any way surely it is your landlords responsibility as far as your cutout.

 

[NBee]

Any way surely it is your landlords responsibility as far as your cutout.

Well, this is what I'm trying to establish. Proving it could be difficult. Plus I'm a leaseholder, so it's just a management company rather than a landlord - does that matter?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I cannot see a tenant or leaseholder having any responsibility for anything before their suppliers meter. Whether its the management companies or the DNO's responsibility, I don't know, but I would suggest it is that of the DNO.

 

[NBee]

I cannot see a tenant or leaseholder having any responsibility for anything before their suppliers meter. Whether its the management companies or the DNO's responsibility, I don't know, but I would suggest it is that of the DNO.

This does seem to be the general consensus. I've contacted the management company, so I'll see where that gets me!

 

[dannyboi2003]

That would have all been installed by your local electricity board back in the day, now the DNO who looks after your area. It is very much their responsibility to maintain and replace if required, don't let them fob you off just stand your ground and with a bit of luck you will get someone sensible sent out to look at it. The cost of maintaining it is covered by the service charge you pay through your electricity supplier.

Out of interest what does the old sticker with red writing say on the side of the black box in your flat? If that in any way references the DNO or previous electricity board then that's your proof that it belongs to them!

 

[NBee]

That would have all been installed by your local electricity board back in the day, now the DNO who looks after your area. It is very much their responsibility to maintain and replace if required, don't let them fob you off just stand your ground and with a bit of luck you will get someone sensible sent out to look at it. The cost of maintaining it is covered by the service charge you pay through your electricity supplier.

Out of interest what does the old sticker with red writing say on the side of the black box in your flat? If that in any way references the DNO or previous electricity board then that's your proof that it belongs to them!

Interest point. The sticker says "Eastern Electricity - Warning - It is dangerous to interfere with this apparatus, it is also an offence"

 

[winston1]

Interest point. The sticker says "Eastern Electricity - Warning - It is dangerous to interfere with this apparatus, it is also an offence"

There you are then. A qualified sparks or anyone other than the DNO cannot touch it, as it would be an offence. Show it to your landlord and leave it up to him/her to deal with. At the end of the day they are not allowed to cut you off.

 

[NBee]

There you are then. A qualified sparks or anyone other than the DNO cannot touch it, as it would be an offence. Show it to your landlord and leave it up to him/her to deal with. At the end of the day they are not allowed to cut you off.

Well, for the record I was never, ever, going to touch this myself! But when you say 'qualified spark' that does open it up to rather more then just the DNO. It implies I could get any electrician in to do it, which means that the DNO could turn it back onto me to sort out.