RESIDENTS of a local housing association have spoken out after they were left for long periods of time without heating and hot water.
Social housing provider, Incommunities, has been called out by several tenants this winter as people have suffered without the essentials of hot water and heating through this year’s bitter spell.
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The company has stated the weather has led to a ‘significant increase in heating repairs’ and it is ‘prioritising repairs based on customer need’.
Tenants have complained to the T&A about broken boilers, the time it takes from someone coming to check the boiler to parts being ordered and the actual repair taking place.
One resident commented on Facebook: “Took 13 months of no heating or hot water, endless “assessments”, ordering of parts, engineers etc for Incommunities to decide my daughter’s boiler should have been condemned years ago. Only got fixed because we got MP involved.”
Earlier this year, the T&A reported on a family who had been stuck without the essentials for 18 days before their boiler was fixed.
Another Facebook user commented: “I have disabilities and had eight days of no heating or hot water, promises of 'it will be today', and no one turns up or rings!"
Many tenants were frustrated with the lack of communication, highlighting they spent days waiting around and chasing the housing provider.
The company has stated it is investing significantly in improvement work for properties and new boilers.
A spokesperson for Incommunities said: “The seasonal impacts of cold and wet weather have led to a significant increase in heating repairs. We continue to prioritise repairs based on customer need.
“We are deploying all resources available to meet our repair timescales.
“In addition, as part of our five-year investment programme, we are investing significantly in improvement works to our properties. These include the installation of new boilers and heating systems to improve performance, reliability and efficiency.
"This year to date, 600 new boilers have been installed and a further 800 new boilers per year are programmed for renewal over the next five years.
“We advise our customers who have heating or other repairs to get in touch on 0330 175 9540.”
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