DESPERATE and vulnerable residents have slammed Paradigm Housing after being left without heating since April this year.

The resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, contacted the Free Press on behalf of eight tenants of Glebe Close, Chalfont St Peter, about their upset at the housing provider not fixing the heating.

The retirement block was left without heating on Good Friday (Friday, April 7) and tenants were given fan heaters to warm their homes.

Despite the summer period, there are often times when the residents feel the cold and need the heating.

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"Eight flats have had no heating since this date, meaning using these small heaters, which dry the air and are not good for those of us suffering from Respiratory issues.

"So each time anyone contacts Paradigm Housing we are told a different story as to why the repair is not yet logged or have a date for the works to be done," the resident said.

According to the tenant, heating pipes were replaced in 2019 which involved 'extensive asbestos removal'.

Now, Paradigm Housing have told residents there is a delay for the heating to be fixed due to asbestos.

The neighbour added: "No heating during a normal summer would not be any issue, but the flats are now cold, the average morning temperature is around 14 degrees.

"There are some very vulnerable tenants who need to feel warm, and the solution to provide small electric heaters for four months without any plans is concerning. "

Paradigm Housing has apologised to the tenants for the heating not working. 

They confirmed that the works cannot take place due to "asbestos being present."

A spokesperson said: "We’re sorry the heating hasn’t been working at Glebe Close. Although it has been through the summer months, we appreciate this has still been inconvenient for some customers. The work required is complicated due to asbestos being present.

"Safety is our number one concern when it comes to our customers, so we’ve taken the time to find the right contractor to manage this in the right way.

"That contractor is now in place and our teams, including the Customer and Neighbourhood Officer, are already scheduled to be on site tomorrow morning to assess the work and draw up a timeline for getting it done.

"We’ll also be talking to customers tomorrow to see what they need and to make sure they have heaters that are suitable for them, if required. We will keep in touch with everyone affected and let them know about progress."