Residents demand compensation after weeks freezing without hot water or heating

While many of the Residents on the Derwenthorpe Estate in York, who were left without heating and hot water during the bitterly cold weather are now demanding compensation.

Most – but not all – say their heat and hot water has returned. Problems remain, however.

As YorkMix reported the homes are connected to an estate wide energy network with central boilers – and the system broke down, leaving a lot of the properties freezing. 

New boiler equipment has had to be installed and further work on Thursday (22 December) left people cut off again while it was done.

The estate is run by Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust who contract energy supplies to Veolia. They were criticised for failing to respond to resident’s requests for help quickly enough.

JRHT also declined to be interviewed by YorkMix Radio too.

So are things any better as we approach Christmas Day? Resident Amy White said not exactly!

Amy told YorkMix Radio: “The heating is OK, the hot water is hot but not as hot as it should be. You do not need to top up a bath with cold water for example.

“I do think we should be compensated for the loss of our heat and hot water to be honest.

“This is something that I will be pressing them (JRHT) on. If not compensation as such I will expect to see money off the bill.”

Later on Thursday evening Amy told YorkMix that her hot water supply had failed again.