Immense powers

The Guardian last week reported on Lynne Burke, owner of a flat in North London – part of a property converted in to three flats in 2006. Burke and her neighbours had all received a letter warning electricity to the the flats would be cut off within 14 days if the occupiers did not come up with £7000.

The problem, the letter said: "Following an investigation, it has come to light that electrical work has been carried out to make an unlawful connection to this company's distribution network/to alter unlawfully an existing connection." Who was it from? As the Guardian reported: "The letter came from UK Power Networks, an organisation that few have heard of. Formerly part of EDF, it is a monopoly player in electricity distribution in London, and the east and south of England, with immense legal powers to shut off electricity that are almost impossible to challenge.

UK Power Networks told Guardian Money: "its "illegal services team" had detected that the power cable from its mains to the front door of the flats had not been properly upgraded when the house had been converted."

It appeared all the residents could do, short of paying the £7000 then trying to trace the developer of the flats, was appeal to the secretary of state at the Department of Energy, an appeal that continues to date, preventing UK Power Networks from terminating the power supply during that appeal process.

Surely on completion these flats should have been signed off as electrically safe by an inspector from the local council? Terrifying stuff.