Burglars cut power, no heating, gas or electricity? What to do

[Okly]

Posting on behalf of someone else.

Last night some “burglars” (disgruntled former tenants) broke into the home and cut the power. There is no heating, gas or electricity and landlord is out of the country.

Any ideas what to do?

Thanks

Report burglary to police.
Let LL know. Get their response, damage will probably be covered under buildings insurance.
If LL slow to act, get agent to contact them.
If all else fails, get a registered Sparky and bill the agency/LL.

Otherwise stay with someone until it's sorted. No way could anyone stay in a property that has zero power at the moment.

Call electricity and gas company

How did they cut the power?

Is the landlord contactable? The home isn't habitable so I'd stay in a hotel and expect someone's insurance to cover it.

Is anyone living there? What have the police said? How long have the gas and electric companies said itl take to get back up and running? Does the landlord have insurance that can pay for a hotel for tenants if there are any?

I presume they've already called the police? Is the house secure?

Was the power supply cut inside or outside the house? Has the power supply been made safe? Who by? If outside at the supply, they could call 105 to the National Grid to discuss how they can help with the power cut. If inside the house, they need to get an electrician out urgently, landlord or no landlord.

Even if the landlord is out of the country, are they contactable? Any letting agency involved?

They also need to contact their local council urgently and see if they can help if the landlord is unable to fulfill their responsibilities: england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/is_your_home_fit_for_habitation

How do you "cut the power" to a building's gas supply? There will be a lever somewhere near the meter for stopping gas from coming through - if it's been turned you can just just turn it back again.

And why would a bunch of burglar's even want to do that? So they can freeze while they steal your stuff?

Actually on second thoughts I think I get it - if they've cut the electricity, it will have cut power to the boiler, so the boiler won't be heating gas even though the gas SUPPLY is perfectly OK.

Agree with pp, report to police and LL.

Well for a start if they've messed with the gas supply I'd phone the gas board as an emergency. That's dangerous.

How have they cut the power? Does someone physically cutting it with bolt cutter happen outside films?

Contact then landlord asap. A professional needs to visit as soon as possible to make the electricty supply safe.

If the property is uninhabitable (and with no gas or electricity at the moment I would say it probably is unless there is an alternative heating supply like a wood burning stove) then they need to relocate.