A veteran has complained about ‘months of hell’ and emotional damage caused due to his boiler leaking at his flat in Theale.
Peter Wolfson, 51, is a veteran of the Gulf War and served in Afghanistan, who spent nine years in the Armed Forces, and currently lives at Leonard Court – a social housing block managed by Southern Housing.
He has complained of ‘months of hell’ with a boiler that has been leaking into his downstairs neighbour’s flat, reportedly causing black mould to grow in a kitchen cabinet and in his neighbour’s bathroom.
Despite what he says has been numerous phone calls and assessment visits, the boiler is still leaking, resulting in ‘a rollercoaster of stress’ and ‘drama’.
Mr Wolfson says the boiler has been leaking from the outset. He said: “It was installed in December, but I didn’t become aware it was leaking until March.
“That’s when my neighbour came upstairs to tell me about the leak.”
The neighbour, who did not wish to be named, has recently recovered from an illness with chest pains and difficulty breathing, with him theorising that the mould could have been the cause.
As soon as they discovered the issue, Mr Wolfson said he reported it using Southern Housing’s protocols.
But he says the issue has been going on for 16 weeks and counting, with the leaking continuing despite several visits.
He said: “I’ve had contractors in and out of my home like it’s a train station.”
Southern Housing has used contractors K&T Heating for maintenance services at Mr Wolfson’s flat.
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While he has received apologies from Southern Housing, Mr Wolfson has accused them of inaction. He said: “They’re really good at apologising without delivering. Their apologies are empty.
“I’m sick and tired of Southern Housing not doing anything. They appear apologetic but it’s just crocodile tears.”
Mr Wolfson, who previously had a career working for a company doing animation and special effects, is not currently working.
A photo shows the boiler leaking with green oxidization underneath it, with the resident forced to use a bowl to catch the leaking water.
The boiler was installed last December after Mr Wolfson was left nine months without a functioning boiler from March 2022.
He said: “It stopped working completely. I endured it for nine months, one because it was a very hot summer last year and two I have had problems before, and I can’t deal with a lot of stress because I have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
“I suffered without hot water, but because I’m vulnerable, what may take someone a day takes me a week or long. It’s stressful. This stuff can run you down.
“But my support worker said ‘you’ve been in the military, you of all people deserve peace of mind’. Hot water is a human right.”
Mr Wolfson was awarded £270 in compensation after raising his case with the Housing Ombudsman around May this year.
He said: “I have reached the limit of my tolerance.”
In response, a spokesperson for Southern Housing said: “We’re sorry about the issues Mr Wolfson has experienced regarding his water heater.
“We’re keen to resolve and are working hard to understand the details and address any matters with our contractor, K&T Heating. We remain in contact with Mr Wolfson and will continue to keep him fully updated.”
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A spokesperson for the contractors said: “K&T Heating are working closely with our client Southern Housing to understand the issues at hand and resolve the matter to the satisfaction of all parties.
“K&T Heating aspires to provide an excellent service and continually works to address and resolve any issues raised.”
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