No hot water for five days for St Leonards pensioners

Wyvern House residents were told on Wednesday (March 9) the heating would not be back on until Tuesday by the owners Places for People.

All 41 flats were given one heater each as 43 were delivered, with the option to ask for an additional one.

Seventy-eight-year-old Anne Killick said it was ridiculous.

“I’m freezing and these heaters would not warm your toes let alone my two-bed flat – it’s just ridiculous,” she said.

“It’s like going back to the 1930s when you have to boil water for a hot bath.”

Mrs Killick’s 87-year-old husband William suffered a heart attack recently and she was worried about him coming back from hospital to a cold house. She said it was disgusting that nothing could be done for five days.

Mrs Killick believes the owners do not care about them as she claims Places for People often say they have no money to repair things.

“We pay £106 per week rent but they say they haven’t got the money so what do they do with our rent?

“They want your money but couldn’t give a tuppence about us.”

A Places for People spokesman said: “We received a report on Wednesday, March 9, that residents at Wyvern House did not have heating or hot water.

“Our contractor attended the same day to assess the repairs required and the two parts which were needed to fix the boilers were ordered.

“Unfortunately these parts were not in stock, and therefore there was a delay in the repairs taking place.

“Once the relevant parts became available they were installed and the boilers were fixed on March 15.

“43 heaters were delivered to 41 homes on March 10.

“We also called all customers on Friday, March 11, to offer additional heaters, and these were delivered to those who wanted them.

“Wyvern House has two boilers so in the unlikely event of one of the boilers breaking down, the other boiler should ensure that customers continue to receive heating and hot water.

“Unfortunately on this occasion both boilers failed at the same time due to different faults.

“We are reviewing why this happened to see what improvements can be made.

“We are sorry that customers have been affected by this.”

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