Residents in Harborough retirement flats 'scared to put heating on' amid winter works

Residents at Huntingdon Gardens have been left without their usual communal heating and hot water for around a month while Platform Housing has changed the system in the development.

They have reportedly been told the work will not be completed until March 2027, meaning they could face much of the winter without their normal heating provision.

Residents say they are still paying service charges which previously covered heating and hot water, but are now having to pay additional electricity costs to run temporary heaters and immersion heaters.

Some residents do not have immersion heaters at all, meaning they have no access to hot water and are having to boil kettles to wash.

Hazel Harmsworth, 67, has lived in her one-bed flat for just over two years. She pays both rent and a monthly service charge, which includes heating and hot water.

Since the works started just over a month ago, the residents have been issued with space heaters.

Hazel explained: “I'm scared to put my heating on because I don't know how much extra that's going to cost me.

“We are now having to fork out twice.

“We're all pensioners in that building, and some are quite poorly. They're in their 80s, 90s.”

Pete Barnacle, 59, is also concerned about the additional cost of heating his flat, after seeing his heating bill jump from around £23 to £40 by using the space heater.

He said: “Who's going to reimburse what we're not using in hot water and heating?

“I'm worried about finding money to pay for my electric bill and everything else.”

Residents claim the work is expected to last until March 2027.

But Marion Duffy, chief operations officer at Platform Housing Group, said they are due to be completed by the end of December.

In a statement, she said: “We are sorry for the disruption and concern these works have caused. The central heating system was restored on Friday, October 30, and temporary heaters will remain available until next week while we ensure it is operating as it should.

“Hot water has not been disrupted generally, and the replacement programme is expected to be completed by the end of December 2026.

“We will work directly with our customers regarding any additional costs and individual concerns, and will continue to keep residents updated.”

​For Hazel and Peter, communication with the company has been a frustrating part of the replacement process.

Hazel said: “We just want to be kept up to date.

“I don't know whether they think because we're elderly that we're not going to kick up or make a fuss.

“Why didn't they do this in the summer?”