Section 38 - Electricity Supply (Safety and Network Management) Regulation 2026 - Refusal to connect and disconnection of unsafe electrical installations

38Refusal to connect and disconnection of unsafe electrical installations

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38 Refusal to connect and disconnection of unsafe electrical installations

(1) If a distributor reasonably believes an electrical installation on premises is unsafe, or is likely to become unsafe if the premises are connected to the distributor’s distribution system, the distributor may—

(a) disconnect the premises from the distribution system, or

(b) refuse to connect the premises to the distribution system.

(2) A distributor that refuses to connect premises to the distributor’s distribution system must, if reasonable, notify the person seeking to have the premises connected of the steps required to enable the connection.

(3) Before a distributor disconnects premises from the distributor’s distribution system, the distributor must, if reasonably practicable to do so, notify each customer likely to be affected by the proposed disconnection of—

(a) the proposed disconnection, and

(b) the steps required to avoid the premises being disconnected.

(4) Despite subsection (3), a distributor may immediately disconnect premises from the distributor’s distribution system if the distributor reasonably believes that the premises remaining connected to the distribution system creates an immediate danger—

(a) to life or property, or

(b) of starting a fire.