No heating or hot water since 11 September 25

Miranda74Cat

Still no heating or hot water and no work has been done. I can't believe that this normal/acceptable. 

GDB2222

Miranda74Cat said:

Still no heating or hot water and no work has been done. I can't believe that this normal/acceptable. 

I don't think it is normal/acceptable. 

GDB2222

https://www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk/

https://www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk/residents/when-to-get-help-from-the-housing-ombudsman/

You have to complain to the landlord before the ombudsman will get involved. 

MyRealNameToo

Miranda74Cat said:

Still no heating or hot water and no work has been done. I can't believe that this normal/acceptable. 

What are they actually saying the status is? 

If a contractor has been appointed, they've identified the problem, ordered the part but the manufacturer says there is a 3 week wait for it then it is reasonable. We had 4 lifts be taken out of service due to a faulty part, the lift company said they had one in stock so would be with us within 2 weeks, one would be available in 6 months but the other two will be over 12 months. 

You can't just magic parts up if the manufacturer says there is a long backlog for them. Replacing the whole thing is also not a minor undertaking, it's not a half a day job like a gas boiler at home is. 

Could your partner come stay with you whilst their heating is out? Or other family members? Im sure they dont want to be an inconvenience to others/ like having their own space etc but you say this is a major issue for their health. 

lincroft1710

Miranda74Cat said:

Still no heating or hot water and no work has been done. I can't believe that this normal/acceptable. 

It may not be, but what can practically be done to get this sorted?

Miranda74Cat

Update
Still no heating or hot water and today the gas was turned off for the whole building so no cooking facilities either and no he does not have a microwave.  

My partner is disabled and his accommodation is adapted for his use, unfortunately staying in a non adapted place is not an option. 

Martico

Does the gas being turned off signal that repairs might now be underway?

EssexHebridean

First priority here is unquestionably to ensure that he is using the heating via the electric heaters as needed - right now the cost of that has to be seen as irrelevant as it’s essentially to his health. You can go after refunds against the cost of that energy later, once the situation is sorted - and allowing that it’s been a month in that situation now, it would seem unreasonable for the HA to not accept that some sort of covering of costs is needed, 

Miranda74Cat

Update:
Still no heating or hot water, the gas is also still turned off. Initially tuned off by Cadent due to a report of a smell of gas in the street.
He has now been told the gas will be turned off for 3 weeks because Cadent discovered asbestos in the communal cupboard that houses the meters for 5 flats.
He was only told this via text, after I called the contractors who refused to tell me anything. They said I needed to speak to the housing association. I explained to the contractor that I have texts from the association telling me to contact the contractor whenever I ask them when the gas will be restored.
The contractor said they would contact the association and urge them to engage with the tenants. That must have happened as this text was sent out - 

'I am finding out that there is asbestos in the cupboard, which is going to take another 3 weeks.

In the meantime, the housing team will look to provide electric countertop hob & oven. 

If you need one, let me know.

Delivery can be arranged for Monday.'

Our response was then: 

Yes, I am in desperate need I also want a microwave and an electric blanket and a water heater. 

How can this be organised? 

The association then said:
'Presently, I'm ordering hobs only. Robert Heath said they will be in contact with you directly regarding additional heating.'

I had read on the Shelter website that electric blankets and water heaters should be provided where there is no heating, clearly the association do not think 4 weeks of no gas and the temperature getting colder is adequate reason enough. 

GDB2222

If you’re not able to afford any of these things yourself, is there no charity able to help? I’m surprised that a man living on his own doesn’t have a microwave, as this is an ideal way to cook small meals. Possibly the local authority has grants available.