Retirement home without heating during coldest month

By Alexandra Warren 

Four flats in retirement housing were left without heating for three weeks last month as temperatures drop below zero.

A gas pipe was damaged while contractors were installing new fire doors on December 14 at Wimborne House in Bedford Hill, Balham, a block of flats for the elderly managed by Sanctuary Housing

The problem was temporarily fixed for two days just before Christmas but has been off ever since – leaving one side of the building without any heat for weeks on end.

Carole Rossetti, 82, who lives in the block has been forced to rely on two small electric heaters to keep herself warm.

Tina Rossetti, her daughter and carer, said: “I think they’re obviously taking steps and measures with new legislation – putting in the new fire doors – but they’ve neglected my mother in other ways.

“I know it was Christmas but this should’ve been a priority. It’s not like they could have stayed in anyone else’s house.”

Tina usually cares for her mother but has been forced to stay at home because of a cough.

She is worried that her mother is not properly being checked on and added that although staff had asked her mother if she needed anything, no one had been inside the flat to see how they could help.

A spokesperson for Sanctuary Housing said: “We are sorry for the intermittent issue with the heating in four flats at the scheme.

“In addition to receiving extra ongoing support from our Scheme Manager, the affected residents were each provided with two portable electric heaters to use temporarily while we investigated the problem and we have explained that we will reimburse them for any additional energy these heaters use.

“We have remained in regular contact with our external contractors about the repairs and can confirm the work required to resolve the issue is booked in for today, (January 5)”