UKPN sent the freeholder a unexpected invoice and letter for some unlawful work which has been carried out prior to any of the leaseholder leaseholds and current freeholder. The freeholder is now left ransom with a £3,600 Invoice, and the freeholder has passed this onto the leaseholders to cover. What are peoples suggestions on how to tackle this?

I am writing to you concerning the condition of the electrical installation at the above property. Please note: this letter is important and requires immediate attention - your premises will be disconnected from the electricity network if action is not taken as set out in Section 3 below.

1. Background
Following an investigation, it has come to light that electrical work has been carried out at the above property to alter unlawfully an existing connection.
It is this company’s opinion that as a consequence of the unlawful connection work your installation is not ‘so protected and used or arranged for use as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, danger or interference to (EPN Power Networks plc) distribution system’. Accordingly this letter is notice under regulation 26(1) of the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 that UK Power Networks requires remedial works to be initiated out within 30 days of the date of this notice to rectify the manner in which your electrical installation is protected and arranged for use, failing which your premises will be disconnected.

2. Defect in your electrical installation which makes it unsafe or causes interference with the electricity distribution network

The defect in the manner in which your electrical installation is protected and arranged for use is that:
  • The original lawfully installed service cable which previously connected your premises to the electricity main was altered without the consent of UK Power Networks as the
distribution network operator, which is an offence under Regulation 25 of the ESQC Regulations;


3. Remedial works which must be initiated out within 30 days of this letter
  • Acceptance and payment of the UK Power Networks Charge Notice dated and enclosed with this letter.

4. Notice of disconnection if remedial works are not initiated out within 30 days

If these remedial works are not initiated out by the end of the 30 day period, under Regulation 26(2) of the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 the unlawful connection to the above premises will be disconnected from our company’s distribution network.
A copy of this Regulation 26 is endorsed upon the reverse of this letter.
If you are a tenant of the property, you should look to your Landlord to arrange for these remedial works to be completed, as the provision of installations for the supply of electricity are the Landlord’s responsibility under section 11 (1)(b) of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.

If you are the Landlord, please refer to the enclosed Charge Notice and contact 0800 029 4281 in order to arrange acceptance and payment for the works to be scheduled.