Powercuts, utilities and the law?

[aelfheah]

Where do we generally stand with utility companies when there are regular powercuts? Is there any legal comeback if the length of 'downtime' exceeds a certain limit?

 

Does it depend upon whether someone has young kids in the home, or whether they are OAP's without heat and lighting (my gran once received £100 and a box of chocs when her power stayed off for five hours- i forget the agreed cut-off limit)?

 

Is there a cut-off point for liability in terms of time 'down' for those sat in the dark without power for hours?

 

Does it depend on the utility company, the individual circumstances or is it just a case of 'not our fault'?

[Obelix]

You can claim for a cut of more than 18 hours, or for more than four cuts of at least three hours duration in a 12 month period. Force Majore etc does apply as well.