No heating hot water over a week

[NoHotwater]

I’m not sure what to do, in tears because I’m so fed up and really seems no end in sight. Everyday I wake up freezing, I’m in bed with multiple blankets and layers still too cold to sleep.

Would I be stupid to contact local MP (never contacted them before so don’t know etiquette)
It’s just I’m so desperate now and nowhere else to turn. My housing association simply does not care and continues to ignore my emails or worse still if I get through to phone line they will lie about sending engineer out but no one turns up

I don’t know how this large company is still allowed to operate seeing as they’ve done this to many others (awful google reviews and even disabled/vulnerable people left without heating/hot water for ages)

Have you spoken to Shelter and environmental health?

I would contact both your councillor and your MP. After a week, I would be in the local paper with a <sad face>.

From what I've just googled they should by law have fixed this by now. Document everything. Email them tomorrow to say that you're contacting the Housing Ombudsman (and do that). I would also say that I am contacting my MP, as that might shame them into action. Other useful people would be Citizens Advice. Could you afford to buy a heated throw in the meantime? They're very cheap to run. Sorry that you have to put up with this. It’s appalling.

Sorry to be thick does that mean no electricity ? I was just thinking electric blanket in the mean time

thanks

Speaking of press, after googling came across article where a 80 year old resident died after two weeks without heating (same HA- Clarion).
The cold and stress were found to be possible triggers for her heart attack, and her home temp got as low as 9°c. My own situation pales in comparison

Another article where woman with five young kids had no heating or hot water for over a month (same HA Clarion).
I don’t know how this company keeps getting away with such appalling service

My HA has gone to emergency lines only since the twenty third. So treating Mon to Weds last week Mon to Weds this week and the second of Jan as bank holidays. Bet Clarion has done the same

I would contact the Housing Ombudsman immediately. And also contact your local MP. I would first contact the housing association to say that you want this fixed and someone sent round at once, and that you are complaining about the service you have received to the aforementioned.

It is an emergency though. She should call on the emergency line.

I agree But i dont know many organisations who are allowed to class non BH days as bank holidays

Today’s excuse was that due to the supplier having reduced hours over Christmas/NY (they need a part) the earliest they can come is next week Weds.

Supplier issues would have a been fair enough reason but then I had raised this issue in early November.

I’ve had few instances where I’ve been told an engineer would visit then noone turns up, waited all day. Could have been sorted before Christmas/BHs considering I raised early nov.

& an engineer who they previously sent out, it was later discovered they didn’t actually order correct part despite knowing I’d need it and didn’t mention in notes for my case it would need ordering.

This caused further delays as the next engineer sent out (over a week later for one to turn up) said he couldn’t fix it on day without new part and was shocked it hadn’t been ordered previously.

I was without hot water or heating for a month when my boiler broke (just how long the parts took; I don’t rent). Some things I did - you may have thought of these / may not be in budget but mentioning in case it’s helpful from a practical perspective:

Electric blankets were much better than multiple blankets
Wear a hat and socks - you feel much warmer if your head and feet are warm
Can your HA supply oil-filled radiators? They aren’t that expensive to run and are surprisingly good.
Signed up for the local cheap gym so at least I could have a hot shower

I would document everything, including taking the name of anyone I spoke to by phone plus the date and time. As others have suggested contact your local councillor and MP. In the short term use hot water bottles if you don't want to buy electric blankets/throws. This must be absolutely horrible and I genuinely hope it is sorted soon.

Have they an office you can go to, giving the impression you will not leave until they get it fixed today?

Agree about documentation and contacting councillor and MP.

I bet the part could be got today from someone like Screwfix.

Clarion should have left some blower heaters for you. Poor show but boilers break and parts have to ordered. Just unfortunate it’s all happened over an extended holiday x

Yes, contact local MP, housing ombudsman and raise a complaint with your local housing association. Tell them you are going to MP and ombudsman and local paper and you will seek recompense for any damage done to property/clothing through damp or costs incurred such as oil filled rads. Buy that stuff and keep receipts
Post on Facebook local community group and see if anyone has the same issue, tag local councillor/MP as they are usually more active on FB than emails.
Ask chatgpt to write it for you and tweak it if you don't have the time or energy.

Crazy it's gone on this long. You really have to be a squeaky wheel and be buddies with local MP!

I understand boilers break and parts have to be ordered but I first raised this issue in early November. The poor service has meant it’s being dragged out over an extended holiday when it shouldn’t have been.

One of the engineers failed to record that a part needing ordering, didn’t mention in case notes. This was explained to me by the engineer who came after that rubbish one. I even heard the engineer complain to his superior on phone for calling him out to a job without being told needed a part. So that was over a week wasted when could have been closer to properly resolving issue.

They are the ones causing significant delays, on average it is a week till an engineer will actually attend. Then when you get an engineer over it’s not guaranteed they will do their job properly, seeing as one that visited me caused further delays by not properly logging and ordering new part.

Thank you for advice all! contacting local councillor now

i believe that by law your landlord is compelled to provide alternative heating. They should have fan heaters available for you if nothing else. Rattle cage for that.

Boil kettles for hot water.

If your shower is electric, theres your hot water too.

Aah, right. Yeh, poor service x

Almost 3 weeks and still not sorted. I messaged my local councillor but didn’t hear back either - feel so hopeless

Last week I was told they’d book an appointment for today to solve it. Yet again no one has turned up and no apology or explanation from company

I feel like I’m talking to a brick wall, they don’t ever seem to care. I’ve wasted so much time forced to stay in, waiting around for engineer that doesn’t even show

Contact every news outlet you can think of. Beg them to help you.

Have you already put a complaint to Clarion in writing @NoHotwater? Make sure you follow the complaint procedure detailed by the Housing Ombudsman as then you can escalate to them if you still don’t get anywhere:

https://www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk/residents/how-to-complain-to-your-landlord/

I’d rather keep my anonymity, only reason I haven’t got in touch with media yet.

I also put a formal complaint to HA last week, in writing it was acknowledged that it was being investigated - says I will be contacted about it in the next 10 working days but may require up to 20 working days depending on complexity.

Housing ombudsman won’t make a formal decision until I’ve exhausted HA complaint process.

My gym (30 min commute but it’s budget friendly and I get to shower) has just emailed now about power outage, they’ve had to temporarily close the gym until power is restored

What are the chances 🥲