Neighbour borrowing my electricity

[SuffolkQueen82]

So… I have a recluse neighbour, probably in her 60’s, we speak regularly and are neighbourly to the extent we’ll put each others bins out etc. Her electric sockets stopped working in her house 6 days ago and asked if we could run an extension lead so she can keep her phone charged, with the promise she’ll call an electrician the next day.

obviously we don’t want someone to be without power so we obliged. 2 days later she sees me
walking past, explains that she has an electrician coming and gives me £20 for the electric asking that we don’t unplug it yet. at this time I warn her I am going away with work and the house will be empty for a significant time during the day so it will need to be sorted before I leave as it’s a security risk.

2 days later still nothing I knock on her door yesterday evening to say I am away Monday and it needs sorting. She says the electrician is coming round today (Sunday) and it should be fixed. She then comes round 30 mins later to tell me the main electric has now tripped and my extension lead is her only
source of power. I mention getting a petrol generator as I can’t have a cable sticking out of an open window while I’m away.

she has been ignoring me all day today, I am leaving in the morning and will be unplugging the lead as I leave. I don’t want someone to be without power but she’s had nearly a week to sort this, I have told her. AIBU?!

I know for a fact her house is in a state of disrepair and her wiring is definitely not up to standard so the house most likely will need to be completely required, she doesn’t even have central heating or double glazed windows.

but:

1. it’s a fire hazard as she could have a number of leads running from that 1 extension
2. it’s a security risk, esp at Christmas when I have a lot of footfall in front of the house and the cable is visible.
3. least importantly it’s plugged into the only socket free for our Christmas lights which has put a dampener on an already difficult Christmas season.

If she has an outside toilet she probably has rewireable fuses.

@happyinherts

Ekderly care. She's 60. FFS

@MyChristmasTree

Do you close all your windows at night, even in the summer?

I can't sleep with the windows closed, the bedroom windows are open 360 or more nights a year, they're only closed when the rain or snow blows in that direction which is a rareity and then other windows would be opened

You’ve been very good with her, if you can contact adult social services who can make contact with her x

You are not responsible for your neighbours electricity supply.
But, if you have genuine concerns for her living arrangements you could contact adult social services.

Unplug and let social services know.

Give her a telephone number for somewhere that hires generators and leave a note explaining you’ve unplugged it for safety reasons.

Unplug the lead in the morning and put a note through her door ' Sorry, I have to go away and can't leave the lead trailing through an open window. Hope the electrician sorts you out today'.

The OP said she's "probably in her 60’s". She could well be in her 70's but whatever her age, it's clear from the OP's second post that she's very vulnerable. The problem with her electricity supply could be something very simple e.g. a kettle which has developed a fault and is tripping the electricity and all that is required is a new kettle. It could be many things but she clearly needs help. The OP is about to go away, so she can't do anything (and of course must unplug the extension lead), but I would definitely have spoken to the woman to ascertain as much as possible about her situation and what can be done to help her. It sounds very sad and worrying.

Diesel generators are not designed to be used indoors & probably cost more to run per hour than a normal electricity connection

There is danger from fumes, carbon monoxide

A bad suggestion

She should contact her electricity supplier

You could log a call on behalf of a vulnerable person to the electricity supplier in your area
They should offer you & her advice as well

Enter postcode

https://www.energynetworks.org/customers/find-my-network-operator

All the electricity suppliers are open 24x7x365

The same as gas suppliers, due to danger & risk related to electricity & gas

As per my link above

No, you can't keep doing this. It's not safe.

Call social services and they'll get her some help.

Unplug and contact adult social services.

She has probably been disconnected for non payment of her bills, possibly because of poverty, possibly because of some sort of mental health issue. Or it's possible her electrical wiring is shot. Either way, adult social services need to get involved.

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/worried-about-someone/

You will need to unplug the extension I'm not sure who you would contact to get her some help. Maybe social services.

Sounds to me like she could be a hoarder or similar. I would make a safeguarding referral with you local council and unplug tomorrow as you have said.

There must be a local group in your area who can help. Maybe look on Facebook . She is obviously vulnerable and needs the help.

Hope you have unplugged by now OP!!

I have left this morning, unplugged the connection and secured the house.

I would doubt it’s non payment of bill as the hall and stairs lights were working until they too tripped. I believe she has spoken to an electrician but I highly doubt she has let anyone in the house she never lets anyone in… so probably has had a trouble shooting conversation and tried to fix it herself, or had him talk through a few things while she checks.

she’s an intelligent lady and from the stories she tells was once very independent and even lived with people but my guess is something happened in her life and she is now a total recluse in a run down house with 3 cats and a “pigeon hospital” in her upstairs bathroom.

my partner is home today so will sort out getting an electrician if needed.

the reason I have been kinder than I would normally be is she is a genuinely lovely lady has even weeded my garden when I’ve been working long hours. And our street is split by a river and footbridge so it’s only me and her on our side of the street.

thank you all for your comments and support, I will forward the links on to my partner to sort today.

You’ve been very kind to this lady which is heartening to read. She doesn’t sound like a CF at all. But, you’ve done the right thing. You need to put your home and security first. And honestly, she probably would have never got an electrician out if you haven’t forced her hand.
Does she have any family that you know of?

You're a lovely and caring person @SuffolkQueen82
Does sound like she needs help rather than being cheeky.

@SuffolkQueen82 just popped in to say, you are a lovely person, ( as is your partner) hope everything is sorted soon.

No family and never married, she has a friend she speaks to on the phone 1-2 times a week and that’s it.

Yes you certainly have gone above and beyond OP. I do wonder about the pigeon hospital in one of her bathrooms though!!