Lib Dem councillor for Fortis Green Martin Newton has expressed shock after two residents contacted him after Haringey Council and a housing association left them for weeks without hot water or heating, whilst boilers are repaired, or new ones installed. He is concerned that there may be more tenants who are being left for long periods, or if these really are isolated cases.

Cllr Newton was first alerted to the problem in late October by an elderly council tenant who reported that their water heater had been removed as it no longer complied with regulations. However he was not offered a replacement.

They were left for over two weeks without hot water, washing and washing-up in cold water, despite contacting Haringey Council on several occasions. Within days of Cllr Newton contacting Haringey Council, they found a replacement heater and installed it.

The second report came from a disabled mother and children who had been left by a housing association for six weeks without a boiler. The Haringey Council tenant had been given some electric fires but was very worried about the cost of running them for this length of time.

Following several calls and emails from Cllr Newton to the housing association, a new boiler was installed within days. He has also secured written agreement that compensation will be paid.

Cllr Newton is pleased that he has been able to get both of these cases resolved quickly. However, he is deeply concerned that it has taken his intervention to have this resolved. With the coldest winter in a decade predicted, Cllr Newton is calling on Haringey Council to take steps to ensure that this kind of situation does not arise again.

Cllr Newton (Fortis Green) comments:

“I am pleased that both these cases have been resolved, but the length of time that these two tenants were left without a boiler is totally unacceptable.

“I have contacted the Council and the housing association concerned expressing my shock at these cases and have demanded that they take steps to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Furthermore I would welcome any other tenants who have had a similar experience to contact me and I will happily take their case up with the Council.”