Builder DIY connection to box juntion

[PPB1]

Hi,

New to the forum so please be gentle.  Whilst in the process of contacting openreach any thoughts on the following/any advice:  I've come out the front door today to find the builder/owner of new flats behind my building (seperately owned) digging up our path up to our front door. On enquiry, they said  it was 'to connect to BT' from our external box (looks like white BT66 Junction box/BT sign on it) on the outside of our building (a Victorian conversion-4 flats) then lay the cabling under the path down to said flats behind. No ok from our freeholder or residents, no openreach engineer in sight. On asking, he could not confirm he had planning permission, easement or wayleave etc. When we objected and asked why they did not just connect to the Openreach cupboard outside on the street (literally one house down!) he became belligerent and said this was easier and what was the problem (!).  Granted from the cabinet may still have led to lifting some slabs but this would be within part of the path away from our from door where they have right of way.  We're waiting to hear back from freeholder and trying to contact openreach but should we be doing anything else? Thanks in advance

[Keith_Beddoe]

@PPB1 

Unfortunately, only Openreach would know what is going on.

[Bob1001]

@PPB1It could be more complicated than that, no one should be digging and putting in cables, including Openreach, without the freeholder's / managing agent's /wayleave permission.

However the actual cabling may not be being done by openreach although they will ultimately be be the owner of it (unless it is a different company and someone like Virgin that has no connection with Openreach / BT etc.

Sometimes builders etc do put in cabling etc if there is a new build or extension to an existing development, in which case although it should be in conjunction with Openreach sometimes they do it independently and then pass it over to Openreach who then check and connect it.

Best to keep on at the freeholder etc as they are really the only people who have any control over it.

[stevebrass]

Unless the builder/ owner has permission from your freeholder (explicit or way leaved) I would politely advise him to desist.