‘I can’t tell you how cold it is’ - Northampton woman left without hot water or heating for a week

A woman who came home from hospital to find her flat had no heating or hot water has been left battling the cold for a week.

The 60-year-old woman who wishes to remain anonymous, had just left hospital last Wednesday (February 19) after having a stent fitted in her heart, when she discovered the issues with her flat.

She called Metropolitan Thames Valley, the housing association responsible for her Guildhall Road flat, about the issue.

According to the resident, a representative from the housing association then visited the property at around 10.45pm the following day (February 20).

She said: “They left a shoe box sized convector heater for the whole flat. It will have cost me a lot to use it but I had to do it. I don’t know how I am going to pay the bill.

“It is so cold, I can’t tell you how cold it is.

“I have had to sleep on the sofa in the living room. I can’t sleep in the bedroom because it’s like an ice box.

“I have rang (the housing association) everyday since, sometimes two or three times a day.

“They were supposed to be fixing the boiler, but I was told yesterday (February 26) that it could be another week before the parts arrive to fix the boiler.

“That’s absolutely disgusting.”

When the resident got in touch with Chronicle & Echo yesterday morning (February 26) she was concerned she would be without heating or hot water for another week.

Metropolitan Thame Valley housing association were contacted for a comment about the issues at the Northampton flat.

A spokesman for the association said: "We are aware of this case and, having identified the cause of the problem and secured the necessary parts, have arranged to attend today (February 27) to fully reinstate heating and hot water at the resident's home.

“In the meantime, portable heating has been provided as a temporary measure."

The resident has since confirmed that the association has been in contact with her and said they will visit her property to repair her boiler today (February 27).