Next door neighbour mains spurred, pre-meter off my main fuse!

VINCENZE · Oct 6, 2021

Semi-detached next door house mains supplied from my property pre-meter off main fuse.

I cannot get a smart meter as main fuse cannot be pulled by non DNO electrician.

This arrangement has been confirmed as not a revenue dodge (ie running feed to garden shed, extension etc). We confirmed the mains spur runs to my next door neighbour's house. This was not entirely uncommon practice for houses built in the early 1930s.

How would I go about getting my next door neighbour's supply routed directly to their house?

Any advice would be gratefully received. I assume I have to get the network provider (in my case NationalGrid) to do something. Fat chance I imagine.

Avo Mk8 · Oct 6, 2021

You can find out who your DNO is here: Find your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) - https://www.engie.co.uk/sme/find-your-dno/
(not National Grid)
I've found mine (UK Power Networks) very helpful?

Lister1987 · Oct 6, 2021

Call 105, that would put you in touch with your DNO. Sounds like a looped supply. Can be unlooped, prices vary.

robd · Oct 6, 2021

Yeah ring the DNO, round here it's UK Power Networks and they'll sort it. Have had the same before and they sorted it no problem

Rockingit · Oct 6, 2021

It's the DNO's issue to solve

VINCENZE · Oct 6, 2021

Cheers everyone. Spoke to UKPower. Helpful. Will talk to their Connections Team (0800 029 4280 if anyone else has this relatively rare issue). Apparently, should be a free of charge fix. The loop supply looks like it is original 1930s 100-200amp wiring with old material wound round the insulation.

VINCENZE · Oct 7, 2021

Apparently, there can be a charge if the engineering is "complicated" or has any "issues". Surely it is a simple semi-detached loop arrangement across the underfloor through the boundary wall.

UK Power would detach the loop at both ends, dig a trench, lay mains (before unhooking loop) to the neighbour's and run the mains feed in. I absolutely do not want to be charged for any of the work. No way!

James · Oct 7, 2021

I wouldn’t loose sleep over it, a smart meter has little advantage to yourself, more for the electricity supplier.

just wait until the supplier wants to fit a new meter, if it is on there request instead of yours, I doubt they will be able to charge you for it.

VINCENZE · Oct 7, 2021

James said:
I wouldn’t loose sleep over it, a smart meter has little advantage to yourself, more for the electricity supplier.

just wait until the supplier wants to fit a new meter, if it is on there request instead of yours, I doubt they will be able to charge you for it.

Sensible advice. Thanks

7029 dave · Oct 7, 2021

Although shared supply is not practised anymore, I have changed many meters in this situation, as long as the neighbour has been informed and agrees to the outage and is present because the supply will need to be switched off in their property too, the meter exchange can go ahead.

VINCENZE · Oct 11, 2021

Not pretty

7029 dave · Oct 11, 2021

Looking at the picture this is how I see it.
The cutout is shared by yourself and neighbour, but you both have your own fuse, the reason your meter fitter refused to exchange the meter is because the neutral cover is on the neighbours side of the fuse and needs to be pulled to get cover off to check connections/tightness or even replace the out going tails.