RESIDENTS at a retirement housing complex are demanding action after years of issues with heating and hot water.

The home owners at Robert Daniels Court in Theydon Bois have faced long periods without hot water or heating, including an eight day stint last week.

They say the housing association Home Group is failing to step up and deal with the on going issue.

But the association bosses have apologised and say they are working on a permanent solution to the ongoing problem at the housing complex.

John Chapman, who lives at the block of 34 flats said it’s just not good enough.

He said: “We were without heating and hot water for eight days last week and this has been happening regularly in the four and a half years I have lived at the complex. “We have to boil a kettle and wash in the hand basin. This is highly dangerous especially for the infirm and wheelchair bound residents.

“The housing association Home Group is a very big group and is constantly making excuses, but it is in my opinion that it’s all down to the association not spending money.

“We pay £68 per week service charges on top of the rent rent of £98 per week and the heating and hot water goes off every winter. There is due to be a meeting this week to talk about what is going to be done about it.

“We’re all at our wits end over all this and what’s been going on and it’s really just not good enough at all.”

The anger pensioner said often in the winter the homes are left for a matter of days without hot water and heating and said it’s so much worse in the cold bitter winter months.

He said there are lots of residents who are infirm and cannot walk or get out of bed and carers are forced to boil water and go to greater lengths to wash and care for residents.

He said it’s much worse for some of his more unwell neighbours and he demanded urgent action from the housing association bosses.

Jo Huxtable, head of service delivery, said: “I’m really sorry about this issue which I know has impacted on some of our vulnerable customers. Our housing team were on site last week and worked closely with the maintenance contractor and water board until the issue was resolved on Friday. I am aware there is an ongoing issue with the heating system and we are starting work to replace the system in August.”