Wayleave Agreements – Sherwill Drake Forbes

Key Points
  • Sherwill Drake Forbes appears to be a legitimate company, registered and regulated by RICS.
  • Their offer to help with wayleave payments for underground electricity cables seems genuine, but verify details independently.
  • Compensation for wayleave agreements is standard, but fees (around 20% plus VAT) apply for their services.
  • Contact your local electricity network operator to confirm any existing agreements.
Who Are Sherwill Drake Forbes?
Sherwill Drake Forbes is a company of RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) Chartered Surveyors, specializing in land, planning, utilities, and infrastructure. They are registered with Companies House (registration number 08470513) since 2013 and are regulated by RICS, ensuring they follow high professional and ethical standards. Their services include advising on wayleave agreements, which allow utility companies to install equipment like underground electricity cables on private land in exchange for compensation.
Is Their Offer Legitimate?
The offer to help you receive a payment for a new wayleave agreement appears legitimate, as wayleave agreements are a standard legal arrangement, and Sherwill Drake Forbes is a known company in this field. However, to ensure it’s genuine for your property:
  • Confirm with your local electricity network operator (e.g., via Energy Networks Association) if there is an existing or potential wayleave agreement.
  • Be aware they typically charge a commission, often 20% plus VAT, meaning you’d receive 76% of any compensation.
  • Review all terms carefully to understand the compensation and fees involved.
Proceed with caution, especially with unsolicited offers, but given their RICS regulation and lack of complaints, it seems likely their offer is valid.
Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Sherwill Drake Forbes and Wayleave Agreements
This note provides a comprehensive analysis of Sherwill Drake Forbes and their offer to assist with a wayleave agreement for underground electricity cables, ensuring all relevant details are covered for a thorough understanding. The analysis is based on extensive research into the company’s legitimacy, the nature of wayleave agreements, and user experiences, aiming to mimic a professional article format.
Background on Sherwill Drake Forbes
Sherwill Drake Forbes is an independent firm of Chartered Surveyors, regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), which ensures adherence to high professional and ethical standards. Established in 2013 and registered with Companies House under number 08470513, their registered office is at 28 Ashby Road, Towcester, Northamptonshire, NN12 6PG, and they are actively operating as of the latest records (last accounts made up to 31 March 2024, due by 31 December 2025). Their services span land, planning, utilities, and infrastructure, with a particular focus on wayleave agreements and compensation claims related to electricity lines, as evidenced by their official website and LinkedIn presence .
Their RICS regulation is a significant indicator of legitimacy, as RICS-regulated firms must follow strict rules on staff training, professional indemnity insurance, complaints handling, and client money security, as noted on the RICS Find a Surveyor page . This regulation is publicly verifiable, enhancing their credibility.
Understanding Wayleave Agreements
Wayleave agreements are legal contracts that allow utility companies, such as electricity network operators, to install and maintain equipment (e.g., underground cables, poles, or substations) on private land. In return, landowners are entitled to compensation, which can be annual payments or a lump sum, depending on the agreement. The Energy Networks Association explains that these payments reflect the type of equipment and its impact on the land, with additional compensation possible if it interferes with agricultural operations. The Electricity Act 1989 governs such agreements, ensuring a legal framework for both parties, as detailed by legal sources like Gosschalks .
Compensation amounts vary, with ATHI Law noting ranges from £150 for a basic 15-year agreement to several hundred pounds or more, depending on factors like land type and equipment scale . The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) adds that wayleaves are typically negotiated for 15 or 20 years with annual payments, though lump sums for permanent easements are possible .
Sherwill Drake Forbes’ Offer and Legitimacy
Sherwill Drake Forbes’ offer to help you receive a payment for a new wayleave agreement aligns with their advertised services, particularly in electricity line compensation, as seen on their website . Their role is to negotiate on behalf of landowners to secure fair compensation, often charging a commission, typically around 20% plus VAT, as mentioned in forum discussions on platforms like MoneySavingExpert and The Lemon Fool . This means if they secure, say, £1,000 in compensation, you’d receive £760 after their fee.
The legitimacy of their offer is supported by several factors:
  • Company Registration and Regulation: Their active status with Companies House and RICS regulation indicate they are a bona fide entity.
  • Public Presence and Reviews: They have a LinkedIn profile with 100+ followers , and a single positive review on Indeed (5.0 stars, dated 13 November 2017), praising their team . No significant complaints were found on platforms like allAgents, which showed no reviews for their office .
  • User Experiences: Forum discussions, such as on MoneySavingExpert and Olympus UK E-System User Group, mention receiving letters from them about compensation, with some users questioning but not dismissing their legitimacy . Scam Detector gave their website a medium-high trust score of 76.9, indicating low risk for fraudulent activity .
However, some users expressed skepticism, particularly about unsolicited letters, as seen in forum posts. This highlights the importance of verifying details independently, especially given the commission structure, which could be seen as high by some.
Steps to Verify the Offer
Given the complexity, here are recommended steps to ensure the offer’s legitimacy for your specific property:
  1. Contact Your Local Electricity Network Operator: Use tools like the Energy Networks Association’s “Who’s my network operator?” to identify and contact your operator (e.g., UK Power Networks at UK Power Networks) to confirm any existing wayleave agreements or potential for new ones.
  2. Review Documentation: Ensure any communication from Sherwill Drake Forbes includes verifiable details, such as your property title number, and check if they reference existing agreements, as noted in forum discussions.
  3. Understand Fees and Terms: Confirm their commission (likely 20% plus VAT) and ensure no upfront fees are required, as their model seems to be “no win, no fee,” based on forum reports.
  4. Seek Independent Advice: Consider consulting a solicitor or another RICS surveyor for a second opinion, especially given the financial implications.
Comparative Analysis with Other Companies
An article on SavvyDad.co.uk compared Sherwill Drake Forbes with Thomson Broadbent for wayleave claims, noting both are known players in this space, with Sherwill Drake Forbes focusing on RICS-backed expertise . This comparison suggests a competitive market, but Sherwill Drake Forbes’ RICS regulation provides an additional layer of trust.
Potential Risks and Considerations
While no major complaints were found, the commission rate could reduce your net compensation significantly. For example, if they secure £500 annually, you’d receive £380 after fees. Additionally, ensure the agreement doesn’t negatively impact future land use, as wayleaves can affect development plans, as noted by legal sources .
Table: Summary of Key Findings
Aspect
Details
Company Legitimacy
Registered with Companies House, RICS-regulated, active since 2013
Services Offered
Wayleave negotiations, electricity line compensation
Typical Commission
20% plus VAT, meaning 76% net to landowner
Wayleave Compensation Range
£150–several hundred pounds annually, depending on land and equipment
Verification Steps
Contact local operator, review terms, seek independent advice
User Feedback
Positive single review on Indeed, no major complaints found
Conclusion
Sherwill Drake Forbes is a legitimate company with a clear role in assisting landowners with wayleave agreements, and their offer to help with a new agreement for underground electricity cables appears genuine. However, given the financial implications and the unsolicited nature of such offers, it is crucial to verify details independently, understand the fees, and ensure the agreement aligns with your long-term plans. By following the recommended steps, you can make an informed decision, balancing potential benefits against costs.
Key Citations