The Brunswick Estate

DOZENS of tenants have been left without heating and hot water for four weeks after a communal boiler on their estate broke down again – just weeks before Christmas.

The outage affecting more than 20 flats in O’Donnell Court on the Brunswick Estate has left elderly and vulnerable people struggling to keep warm.

Residents have said their radiators are pumping out zero heat and that hot water, when available, runs lukewarm for just two minutes before turning freezing cold.

Jo Reuben, chair of the Brunswick Tenants and Residents Association, said: “I’ve been here for 11 years and every single year coming up to winter we have the same issues. Last year this was happening sporadically throughout the year.

“It’s just not good enough. We pay enough money to live here – particularly in our service charges. While you can claim back heating compensation, it barely covers the electricity that people have been using to heat their homes with electric heaters.

“There isn’t a properly coordinated maintenance programme.”

The latest breakdown comes after around 400 flats in O’Donnell and Foundling Court were left without heating and hot water last November, in an outage that lasted until January following a communal boiler failure. The disruption was at its most serious in November when there was a period of sub-zero temperatures.

Last month, Camden Council said pump renewal works were nearing completion, but that outstanding pipework repairs remained.

In its review of previous failures the council acknowledged the need to identify and escalate emerging problems earlier, strengthen winter planning and improve communication with residents.

In April, the council transferred its gas and heating services from GEM Environmental Building Services to two new contractors, with TDK Mechanical Services taking over in the south of the borough and BTU covering the north.

Ms Reuben added: “It’s a general feeling of disappointment in TDK, the new heating contractors. Not a great start to their new contract.

“It’s also not good to be a year down the line and have residents telling me that they have been trying to get through to the council requesting repairs and they get nowhere.

“A lot of money has been spent on refurbishing the boilers up to a standard that should work.”

A TDK spokesperson said they were unable to comment on the matter directly and referred us to Camden Council.

A Camden Council spokesperson said: “We apologise to everyone affected by these issues caused by a broken valve which stopped the flow of hot water to a number of properties.

“This has been fixed temporarily to restore hot water while we arrange for the part to be urgently replaced. Contractors have visited the building and are contacting everyone who has reported issues.

“The boiler room which provides heating and hot water systems at Brunswick Estate has been fully upgraded and we continue our work to visit every property to see if any improvements are needed inside – such as new hot water cylinders – to ensure residents keep warm and well.”