64-year-old left without hot water for more than two weeks

By Rafi Benady

A 64-year-old man has won justice with the help of the South London Press and Mercury, having been left without hot water for more than two weeks.

Kaestner Thompson, of Walnut Tree Walk in Kennington was so angry after waiting a month for his compensation that he contacted us.

His landlord, London and Quadrant (L&Q), was instructed by the housing watchdog to compensate Mr Thompson £50 because ‘The landlord did not respond fully to the complainant’s concerns and did not escalate the complaint through its internal process’.

Mr Thompson said: “They’re [L&Q] telling porkies on me.”

The compensation comes after Mr Thompson launched a complaint about housing association L&Q regarding how long it took to carry out boiler repairs at his third-floor flat.

An L&Q spokesman said: “We are aware that Mr Thompson approached the housing ombudsman in relation to a boiler repair carried out by L&Q.

“The housing ombudsman found that there had been no maladministration in regards to the repair. They suggested the case could have been escalated internally, and awarded £50 to the resident as a result. We have sent a cheque for this amount to Mr Thompson.”

Mr Thompson, who has been unable to work since 2005 after sustaining an injury, said: “Thank you for being respectful and for helping me get justice.

“L&Q are not helpful.

“My landlord does not respect its tenants.”

It is how L&Q handled the complaint, not the nature of the complaint itself which saw it incur the fine.