Residents in a sheltered housing complex in Dumfries have been left “freezing” for three weeks due to a heating system failure.
Tenants in the Loreburn Housing Association property, JM Barrie House on George Street, are upset over the time being taken to resolve the issue.
One resident, 63-year-old William Stewart, told the Standard: “It’s unacceptable. It’s freezing at night.
“You’d think they’d treat that as an emergency, wouldn’t you? We’re not getting answers but we’re getting fobbed off.”
Tenants were left without hot water and heating after an issue early in June. The water problem has been resolved but residents remain unclear about when the heating will be sorted.
Loreburn has provided convector heaters in the meantime but Mr Stewart insists they are too expensive to run for any length of time.
And he claimed any benefit is quickly lost due to badly fitted windows. He said: “They can’t expect us to burn convector heaters. They cost a fortune. I’ve only had it on a few times.
“I put it on for 30 minutes then shut it off. Within 20 minutes the living room is cold again because the heat just goes right out the windows.”
He added: “Loreburn don’t come and tell you what’s happening, you’ve got to go and ask.
“I’ve got emphysema and a heart condition and they’re not making me any better with the stress.”
Nith ward councillor Malcolm Johnstone has expressed concern at the situation.
He said: “It’s been a cold and wet spell so they definitely need their heating up and running as soon as possible – especially given that there will be a number of elderly people in there who will be more vulnerable to these sort of things.
“It’s a basic thing they require and it’s something that should be dealt with with some urgency.”
Sue Irving, Loreburn’s director of housing services, said: “Problems with the heating system have resulted in irregular temperatures throughout the building, resulting in some homes being too warm and others not warm enough.
“Expert advice was sought, and the remedial works recommended in the consultant’s report are being arranged.”
She added: “The safety and comfort of our tenants at JM Barrie is our absolute priority and all tenants have been offered and provided with alternative forms of heating that suit their individual needs and vulnerabilities.
The association has pointed out that the building will receive window and door replacements as part of an investment programme in this financial year.
