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From left: Arch-Elm Tenant Management Co-operative manager Bernie Tibbs, Councillor Greg Foxsmith, Brooke Park Tenant Management Co-op manager Lorraine Constantinou, Holbrook Tenant Management Co-op chairwoman Jeanette Browning and tenant management co-operative co-ordinator George Morales |
Brrr... as flats boiler blows hot and cold
Petition call for compensation over heating loss
FREEZING tenants who claim they have been without regular heating since November are demanding compensation.
More than 300 residents of Elthorne estate in Archway say they have repeatedly been left shivering for days while EPS Energy (European Power Systems) repairs a faulty boiler.
They claim the loss of heating is causing health problems for the elderly and children with asthma.
Lorraine Constantinou, 64, manager of the estate’s Brooke Park Tenant Management Co-op, said: “I went to bed in my dressing gown last night I was so cold. It’s colder inside than out. It’s hard on old people because they really feel it. The heating’s off one day, on the next, or just tepid. Some tenants don’t get hot water either.”
Lib Dem councillor Greg Foxsmith and tenants’ representatives met EPS Energy managers this week to discuss the problem.
Tenants have signed a petition demanding compensation and calling on EPS to fix the boiler quickly and permanently.
One resident, who did now wish to be named, said: “This goes back to June 2008, but it’s been a nightmare since Christmas. We feel physically and mentally drained. I can’t remember when we last had a full night of heating. It was off for three days over the weekend.
“People are getting back pain. They feel uncomfortable and have difficulty getting up for work. Some people now use fires, which also cost money.”
Leaseholders – owners of former council homes – have already paid major works bills and service charges and are angry that the boiler repairs have not been finished. They want to be regularly updated by EPS and Homes for Islington so they know what is happening.
Cllr Foxsmith said: “I’m backing residents all the way and asking for compensation for each and every day the boiler has not been working. I’m going to take this campaign to the very top.”
Peter Taunton, interim director of property services at Homes for Islington, said: “We’ve hired a temporary boiler to ensure a continued supply of heating and hot water and we hope to have new boilers operating by the end of April.
“There have been several disruptions to the service due to burst pipes – something we can’t predict or prevent. Residents have continued to have access to hot water, through their immersion heaters, but we appreciate that this is an additional expense and will be providing compensation to those who have suffered a loss of service.
“We apologise for the disruption. The new boilers will provide a more efficient and reliable supply.” |
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