Cold comfort - Call for heating ‘denial’ compensation

Published: 21 January, 2011
by JOSH LOEB

THE former chairman of a residents’ association has demanded compensation for people living on an estate who suffered heating problems during the coldest winter since records began. 

John Brett (pictured), 79, who lives on the Wessex Gardens Estate, in Bayswater, said families had been forced to huddle under blankets because of “inadequate” heating as temperatures plummeted last month.

He criticised CityWest Homes, the arms-length manage­ment organisation responsible for maintaining Westminster’s social housing stock, claiming its staff were “in denial” about the problem and “did nothing” despite numerous complaints over a seven-week period.

“December was the coldest since records began, the country is having a swine flu epidemic, and living without sufficient heat in such conditions the elderly could easily suffer from hypothermia,” said Mr Brett. “To be in denial for seven weeks that a problem exists is beyond belief, but when such arrogance puts 302 occupied properties at risk, it is just not acceptable. I think this warrants punitive compensation.”

Mr Brett added that on one occasion last month CityWest’s computer system did not show that any of the boilers on the estate were not working, and that a few days later it failed to show that residents had no hot water. Officials from CityWest were due to meet Wessex Gardens residents last night (Thursday) to discuss the problems.

Darren Levy, director of customer services at CityWest Homes, said: We rectified these problems as soon as we were made aware of them.”