A tower block riddled with leaks has been left without hot water for days, with tenants fearing that the problem will only get worse as winter approaches.
David Coleman, who has lived at 63-162 Fellows Court in Hackney for a decade,claims the lack of heating in the block is “against human rights”.
Leaks have plagued the 1960s block for years, with one major incident last December flooding its concierge office, which is yet to reopen.
David has now claimed that people living at Fellows Court have been told by Hackney Council they will be without heating until October, despite temperatures in their flats falling.
He also told Hackney Gazette that hot water cut out for three days two weeks ago, as well as last weekend – forcing him to go and stay elsewhere.
The block is currently heated using a temporary boiler system, with plans to permanently replace it alongside the leaking pipes not yet finalised.
David says he has been told that it is these persistent leaks that force engineers to turn off the block’s heating and hot water, and he has now called on the council to urgently find a permanent solution.
He said: “Heating and hot water are basic necessities. If this was a hotel, there would be uproar.
“If it was a private landlord, the council would be on to them saying you have to provide these services.”
David added that many elderly tenants had asked Hackney Council to turn the heating system on, but that this request had been refused.
He explained: “We feel there shouldn’t be a timetable for when the heating comes on – we’re living in the 21st Century and we’ve got no control over the heating.
“They can’t be charging us for the heating in the weekly service charge when it’s not even on for half the year.
“There’s no maintenance done on the system through the summer months – they turn it back on in October and it fails, and it takes weeks then to get it up and running.
“Numerous people are using electric heaters but then they’re paying double or treble to heat their homes – it’s not right.”
Steve Waddington, Hackney’s strategic director of housing services, said he understood that the situation was “frustrating” for tenants and leaseholders, and that the boiler system breaks down “more than we would like”.
He added: “To replace the whole heating and hot water system is a multi-million pound major piece of work, which will take time to plan and implement.
“In the meantime, we will also be surveying the existing system to, where possible, repair or replace any necessary pipework or joints to minimise the potential for future leaks.
“The system is now due to be turned on as we get ready for the winter months.
“We have completed works and tests to ensure it is ready and we will continue to monitor any issues with the system so we can get them resolved as soon as possible.”
He urged anyone with any issues to contact the repair centre on 020 8356 3691.
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