Electric Cable running across Garden

[Paula]

Hello
Looking for a bit of advice.
I live in a flat and the upstairs neighbours had an unarmoured electric cable running from their house down the property wall and across my pathway. I asked them to look at it as live and unarmoured and they got someone in who has put armoured cabling in directly from their flat to their shed. The new cable now runs through the air across my garden and is a complete eye sore. Would the electrician fitting it have assumed they had saught my consent before installing this new cable and can iI ask them to remove it?

 

[Pete999]

So I gave them access to the garden for someone to come and have a look at the issue, but they went ahead the same day and had the work done without consulting me as to what they were going to do.

Quick Q: Does anyone know if outside electric work like this needs to be notified and tested by a qualified person?

Its a good point about the fact that there was already a cable there before I or the people upstairs moved in. It had been there 7 years and I though nothing much of it apart until someone pointed out to me that if it's live it needs to be insulated. surely if someone previously had granted access across my property it should be detailed in updated deeds?

I will also for a copy of the electrical installation Certificate. Just waiting to see what they reply with first.

It's just a cable going into the shed for a light.

Paula, of course it needs to be tested and certified, not to up on the building control bit, others may know, but deffo tested and certified via an EIC.

 

[telectrix]

could always get a set of jump leads and tap in for free leccy..

 

[Pete999]

So I gave them access to the garden for someone to come and have a look at the issue, but they went ahead the same day and had the work done without consulting me as to what they were going to do.

Quick Q: Does anyone know if outside electric work like this needs to be notified and tested by a qualified person?

Its a good point about the fact that there was already a cable there before I or the people upstairs moved in. It had been there 7 years and I though nothing much of it apart until someone pointed out to me that if it's live it needs to be insulated. surely if someone previously had granted access across my property it should be detailed in updated deeds?

I will also for a copy of the electrical installation Certificate. Just waiting to see what they reply with first.

It's just a cable going into the shed for a light.

Paula, of course it needs to be tested and certified, not to up on the building control bit, others may know, but deffo tested and certified via an EIC.

 

[Octopus]

The height is irrelevant.

The fact it's been installed without your agreement is the issue here.

No decent competent spark would do that across another person's property .

 

[littlespark]

They would have been cheaper buying a rechargeable work light. No cables, no worries.

No decent competent spark would do that across another person's property .

The spark might not have asked who the piece of land belonged to and assumed it was his clients (having an existing cable there)... and the client wouldn't have mentioned it.
And nobody here thinks this spark is decent or competent

 

[Pete999]

could always get a set of jump leads and tap in for free leccy..

Now Tel, you know tapping into a SWA in mid air would not comply with BS 7671 now would it, so sttop making silly sugestions Paula may get the wrong idea of the help being offered. Free lecky my ---.

 

[telectrix]

Now Tel, you know tapping into a SWA in mid air would not comply with BS 7671 now would it, so sttop making silly sugestions Paula may get the wrong idea of the help being offered. Free lecky my ---.

spoilsport.

 

[Midwest]

So I gave them access to the garden for someone to come and have a look at the issue, but they went ahead the same day and had the work done without consulting me as to what they were going to do.

Its a good point about the fact that there was already a cable there before I or the people upstairs moved in. It had been there 7 years and I though nothing much of it apart until someone pointed out to me that if it's live it needs to be insulated. surely if someone previously had granted access across my property it should be detailed in updated deeds?

Perhaps your neighbours thought they were doing the right thing by improving (questionable) things?

Only if the previous owners answered their solicitors questions honestly.

Can't remember, have you told your neighbours of your dissatisfaction?

 

[Paula]

Perhaps your neighbours thought they were doing the right thing by improving (questionable) things?

Only if the previous owners answered their solicitors questions honestly.

Can't remember, have you told your neighbours of your dissatisfaction?

Yes, I think they genuinely thought they were improving things. They know I am not happy about it and I have asked them to re-site it and also offered for it to be run across and down the walls and under my path. they said they would think about it but TBH its their cable and shouldn't be anywhere near my property

 

[Pete999]

Did they consult you before it was installed?

I get the feeling that the neighbour is a bit of an A hole, he would have done just what he liked because he lived on the ground floor, a bully in my eyes, a bully by means of location I hate them. Come to that all forms of bullies, scum the lot of them, I was bullied at School until I sorted it my self, painful at first, but worth the effort.

 

[telectrix]

I get the feeling that the neighbour is a bit of an A hole, he would have done just what he liked because he lived on the ground floor, a bully in my eyes, a bully by means of location I hate them. Come to that all forms of bullies, scum the lot of them, I was bullied at School until I sorted it my self, painful at first, but worth the effort.

early days at secondary school, age 11,. there was one "hard case" bully in the class. a crap in his lunch box soon sorted him.

 

[Midwest]

Its all coming out now, it appears this is that time when we all need to unladen ourselves, with those pent up emotions we've been harbouring all these years. Get it off your chest, you'll feel liberated and ready to feel at ease with oneself. https://www.google.co.uk/imgres?img...IrbAhXlDMAKHRpUApsQMwhjKBowGg&iact=mrc&uact=8

 

[Midwest]

early days at secondary school, age 11,. there was one "hard case" bully in the class. a crap in his lunch box soon sorted him.

What were you doing in his underpants

 

[Pete999]

FI was on a job in Canada, one of the blokes on the team was a complete Ahole, a bully of the first order.
Picked on one of the younger Lads one evening whilst looking for somewhere to eat, found a Chinese, sat down, ordered the food and a few beers, he started again, pickng on this Lad, the red mist came up and I thumped him, left the resturant left some cash with my Mate and Fox Trot Oscared, heared no more about it, no more bullying, sorted, end of. He won't speak to me anymore, but "am I bothered" to coin a phrase from some TV show?

 

[Paula]

I get the feeling that the neighbour is a bit of an A hole, he would have done just what he liked because he lived on the ground floor, a bully in my eyes, a bully by means of location I hate them. Come to that all forms of bullies, scum the lot of them, I was bullied at School until I sorted it my self, painful at first, but worth the effort.

They are a nice couple and I believe they thought they were doing the right thing. They did however, tell me I was exaggerating when I explained it was an 'eyesore' which I found laughable as that's easy to say when it's not in your garden but I have to look at it when I'm in my garden.
Good to get some validation here that a) it is ugly and b)they cant just run cables across my land willy-nilly

 

[pirate]

Oh, I love good neighbour dispute!
Actually, they are just the worst sort of nightmare.
If you are a freeholder, surely there isn't a lease too?
Certainly not in Scotland.
If you own the ground, ie it's not communal, then no-one can put cables over it (except the statutory undertakings) without your consent. If it had been there for 10 or maybe 20 years, prescription might apply, so a wayleave established by usage which would not always show up in the title deeds. If you bought the property when the original cable was there, you may have a problem objecting now.ie objecting to there being a cable at all...however, if the new cable is substantially different from the old one, then you may have a case.
So, on electrical safety grounds, type of cable, height above ground, method of fixing/installation, you probably have grounds for asking for it to be removed or replaced in a better manner.
On legal grounds, if you own the property, the maxim ad caelo usque ad centrum would apply, and no-one has the right to obstruct your airspace.
Frankly, tell your neighbour to get a proper installation done, run it down the wall, bury it properly under the path, all at no expense to you, and if he wants a formal wayleave tell him to get his solicitor to draw it up and register it all at his expense.

 

[Midwest]

Oh, I love good neighbour dispute!
Actually, they are just the worst sort of nightmare.
If you are a freeholder, surely there isn't a lease too?
Certainly not in Scotland.
If you own the ground, ie it's not communal, then no-one can put cables over it (except the statutory undertakings) without your consent. If it had been there for 10 or maybe 20 years, prescription might apply, so a wayleave established by usage which would not always show up in the title deeds. If you bought the property when the original cable was there, you may have a problem objecting now.ie objecting to there being a cable at all...however, if the new cable is substantially different from the old one, then you may have a case.
So, on electrical safety grounds, type of cable, height above ground, method of fixing/installation, you probably have grounds for asking for it to be removed or replaced in a better manner.
On legal grounds, if you own the property, the maxim ad caelo usque ad centrum would apply, and no-one has the right to obstruct your airspace.
Frankly, tell your neighbour to get a proper installation done, run it down the wall, bury it properly under the path, all at no expense to you, and if he wants a formal wayleave tell him to get his solicitor to draw it up and register it all at his expense.

Thats already been covered; get back to your San Miguel or paella or whatever you're larging up this evening on the Spanish plains.

 

[pirate]

So I see, but it takes me so long to type anything that Christmas has come and gone before I have my Easter cards stamped!
Anyway, no hassle with reaffirming what others have said, is there...?
And it's Blanc Pescador just now, and shortly I will be at the local restaurant having a massive steak and a bottle of Rioja...and just for further info, I have made a seafood paella today and filmed it, so it will be on a youtube channel near you soon!

 

[Paula]

Oh, I love good neighbour dispute!
Actually, they are just the worst sort of nightmare.
If you are a freeholder, surely there isn't a lease too?
Certainly not in Scotland.
If you own the ground, ie it's not communal, then no-one can put cables over it (except the statutory undertakings) without your consent. If it had been there for 10 or maybe 20 years, prescription might apply, so a wayleave established by usage which would not always show up in the title deeds. If you bought the property when the original cable was there, you may have a problem objecting now.ie objecting to there being a cable at all...however, if the new cable is substantially different from the old one, then you may have a case.
So, on electrical safety grounds, type of cable, height above ground, method of fixing/installation, you probably have grounds for asking for it to be removed or replaced in a better manner.
On legal grounds, if you own the property, the maxim ad caelo usque ad centrum would apply, and no-one has the right to obstruct your airspace.
Frankly, tell your neighbour to get a proper installation done, run it down the wall, bury it properly under the path, all at no expense to you, and if he wants a formal wayleave tell him to get his solicitor to draw it up and register it all at his expense.

Oh they are the best arent they? Neighbour issues :-S
Thanks, this info is really helpful
The previous cable had been there for 7 years (unknown how long beyond that) but less noticeable as grey and ran along the wall for the main part. The new cable is thick, black and runs from their flat to their shed directly across my garden and air space.
I explained to them I am happy for them to run along and down my walls and under my path (to meet them halfway) and the wayleave would be good in this instance for future, but they already spent £280 on this shoddy job so are reluctant to spend more.

 

[pirate]

£280???
Crikey!

 

[pirate]

Anyway, as the new cable is substantially different, and follows a different route, you are on a winner, in theory. As you have offered a sensible compromise, you can do no more as a good neighbour.
Funny how the calmest of folk will give the neighbours range Rover a two-bob coachline though...
NOT recommending that, obviously!

 

[Paula]

Anyway, as the new cable is substantially different, and follows a different route, you are on a winner, in theory. As you have offered a sensible compromise, you can do no more as a good neighbour.
Funny how the calmest of folk will give the neighbours range Rover a two-bob coachline though...
NOT recommending that, obviously!

£280 is that a lot? South East here - everyone charges a bomb! and thinks everyone is loaded just by location
thank you! thought the same and happy to compromise for the sake of peace and ease.
enjoy your steak and Rioja

 

[Midwest]

...and just for further info, I have made a seafood paella today and filmed it, so it will be on a youtube channel near you soon!

Bet you put pineapple chunks in it...

 

[Taylortwocities]

Good to get some validation here that a) it is ugly and b)they cant just run cables across my land willy-nilly

Yes it is ugly and they have absolutely no right to access your land and/or to run the cable outside their own boundaries - these will be detailed in the deeds/plans.

You need to write them a formal letter, say that you do not want to be unpleasant, or un- neighbourly but that you have taken advice (don't say its us) and they do not have permission from you to run the cable across your property..
Request that this must be removed within a period (set a reasonable time, like 7 days). When you have written a formal letter, they have to respond in writing or act to resolve.

If they do not, then take the letter, and other eviodence etc to citizens advice, or to your local friendly solicitor. Most will provide a free half hour to advise you what your options are.

 

[Spoon]

Also add to the letter that the electrician has not done it to the regs as it is below 3.5 meters from the ground.
The electrician should come back and correct his mistake for free.

 

[Octopus]

£280 is that a lot? South East here - everyone charges a bomb! and thinks everyone is loaded just by location
thank you! thought the same and happy to compromise for the sake of peace and ease.
enjoy your steak and Rioja

Where in Surrey are you?

A few of us on here are in Surrey.

Nobody can say if £280 is a lot or not unless they know the full scope of the works undertaken.

 

[Darkwood]

My take on this is at first impression it is a poor install, keeping the swa square on the building then coming across to a raised post level in line with the houses dividing ridge would have been more aesthetically pleasing for everyone, I would ask for copies of certificates supplied and meet them in the middle on this, if they come back and rectify what is a poor design then you will be happy.
The problem lies if they have paid the ferryman already, paying for the work is a contractual agreement you are happy with the work done especially as the concern about the work is visual so your neighbour is now in an arkward position.
I don't feel their was any deliberate malice and clearly the fact they corrected the old cable was an effort to address your concerns.

It still looks a crap install though!

PS - comments about a breach of reg's due to the height have been voiced, the particular reg would not cover this, it is not a public route and/or are there any vehicles that will be using the route which would make it subject to a minimum height, common sense would apply for the height in this particular case.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Overhead conductors shall be at a height above ground of not less than 6 m in all areas subject to vehicle movement

unless their is a f**KIng tank in that back garden .

 

[buzzlightyear]

hay she has a spare washing line ,so why mone.

 

[Midwest]

Think we're done now; I'm off to check out my washing line and cook some paella (no chunks), and offer advice on Access to Neighbouring Land Act or something similar.