Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Aug 16, 2014 10:44 pm Hi all, I need help from all of you who may have the same experience with me. The background: A vendor subdivided his house into 2 units. Unit 1 is the existing house, and unit 2 is an empty land, which is the backyard of the house. I bought the unit 1, and have happily moved in 3 months ago. Unit 2 is sold to another person. Then the builder of unit 2, has also started the construction of building unit 2 house 3 months ago. Yesterday, the builder of unit 2 contacted me, said that the unit 2, has to connect to the underground electric pit (which I am not aware at all as my house connect to existing overhead power line connecting to the electric pole outside my house). And the consequences are: 1. They need to build underground power cable linking the underground pit to unit 1 (which is existing house I am occupying now), and to unit 2. The underground cable, will run through the common driveway. Since the cable go through common driveway, the builder said to me, it becomes common property, and I have to pay half of the cost of building underground cable 2. The builder also said, that I have to disconnect my current electric connection, and connect to the underground pit, and the cost has to be borne by me I am very shocked hearing this news, as I know that this is going to be an expensive cost. I assume, they have to find a way to supply the electricity to unit 2 without disturbing me. My questions: 1. Has anyone come across the same scenario as mine, and by law do I really need to pay? 2. Before settlement, and before subdivision is registered, the vendor has to get statement of compliance, and inside the statement of compliance (correct me if I am wrong) has to check whether electric supply to each units have been provided. So why they say they don't have electric supply now? I appreciate any help from you to shed some lights to my case. Thank you so much in advance for all the help to answer my questions Regards Jack Re: Forced to Connect to Underground Electric Pit 2Aug 16, 2014 11:09 pm I'll politely tell him to fock off. The builder is bluffing you. Tell him to take you to court. You do not have to pay for it. The requirement to connect your house via underground power is a requirement of the power company in order to connect unit 2's power. In reality, you can hold the builder ransom by refusing permission for the underground power. FYI, I built a house at the back of my existing house, and had to move to underground power and a centrally located meter box (fuse box remains where it is). Seriously I'll tell the builder if he wants to play this game, you'll make him pay you a fee to agree to underground power AND you will get your own electrician to do it on your terms. Re: Forced to Connect to Underground Electric Pit 4Aug 16, 2014 11:56 pm Rather than ask where r u , what council , strata , green title ( or whatever they are called on the east coast if that be the case) and stick to the obvious . 1: what does council say ? 2: what does power company say ? I wish you luck Timeline Aug 08-Land Mar 09-Demo/Titles Sept 10-Handover No1 Sept 11-Handover No2 April 12-Sold No2 Aug 14-Land/Demo Jan 15-Slabs viewtopic.php?f=31&t=25736 Re: Forced to Connect to Underground Electric Pit 5Aug 17, 2014 12:17 am Echo Rather than ask where r u , what council , strata , green title ( or whatever they are called on the east coast if that be the case) and stick to the obvious . 1: what does council say ? ans: i called council, council said you may need legal advice to decide whether it is your responsibility or not. it is a useless answer. they gave me a contact number of free legal advice (in case i don't want to spend money). i called the free legal advice a few times but always busy. 2: what does power company say ? ans: you are smart. yes, i called my power company. they said.. Big NOOO ..don't listen to the builder. only listen to our instruction. From their point of view, I don't need to pay anything, so once again, only listen to us as your energy provider.. (which is in line with JB1's explanation) I wish you luck Re: Forced to Connect to Underground Electric Pit 6Aug 17, 2014 12:33 am Excellent Seems you have answered own question. You own land, not someone's else's builder. Keep up the good work Timeline Aug 08-Land Mar 09-Demo/Titles Sept 10-Handover No1 Sept 11-Handover No2 April 12-Sold No2 Aug 14-Land/Demo Jan 15-Slabs viewtopic.php?f=31&t=25736 Re: Forced to Connect to Underground Electric Pit 8Mar 05, 2015 9:17 am Just a sharing for someone who may encounter the same situation: An update to the latest situation, 2 months ago, the owner of the new unit called me again, saying that: he has spent money to lay down underground cable, and install common meter at the front. But, my house need to connect to the common meter, in order for the power company to supply electricity to him. he said I need to pay the fee of connecting my house to common meter, as it is my house, not his house, so he has no responsibility to pay the fee. I replied to him, he must pay for the fee! otherwise, I can't help him, and he may need to look for alternative electricity source (may be by genset or something else) He rejected, and threatened me that I will get letter from authority if I refuse to do so, as I am blocking him to get electricity. And the final result is... nothing he can do, and he called me again, he will pay for everything, even say sorry that I need to have electricity disruption while the power is moved to common meter. Many thanks to @JB1, @Echo for the advice given! Re: Forced to Connect to Underground Electric Pit 9Mar 20, 2015 7:58 am I shouldn't say good result as it should be the ONLY result. I feel sorry for anyone who caves in. I'm an excellent neighbour and super reasonably about splitting cost on any work that needs to be done, but don't try to pull a shifty on me. I'll be spiteful and will call my own electrician to do the work ensuring they get paid upfront. Hi JW I just read your post and I find this situation quite strange. When we build, we get a temp pole for construction which becomes the permanent pole for one of the… 1 3947 1 4089 DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair Hi everyone Question about Brevis gas heating undergound - was recently installed by previous owners (<1 year old) but live in a relatively large house - 4 bdr - and only… 0 2147 |