• THE cost of living leaflet from Camden Council that has arrived through doors contains very little help for Maiden Lane residents, or any others living on estates and struggling with huge communal heating system charges.

These charges we have no control over. We can’t reduce our bills by turning down our thermostat or taking a shorter shower.

Charges we have to pay week-in, week-out, no matter what our usage.

We are even worse off, as in the case of Maiden Lane, because of an outdated, inefficient, failing heating system that was due to be replaced a decade ago.

Effectively, we are paying for leaks. We can’t even choose to be disconnected.

When will Camden Council announce some specific help for tenants and leaseholders on estates with communal heating?

“Warm welcome spaces” don’t help us. We can’t shop around for a new provider. We shouldn’t have to be in debt to get help from the household support fund.

People are spending every penny they have in savings to keep up with these charges, leaving them with no emergency back stop.

We need some specific help for residents with communal heating charges now.

D McEVOY
Maiden Lane Tenants’ and Residents’ Association, NW1