Former Nurse, 91, Endures Two Months Without Hot Water in London Sheltered Accommodation
A 91-year-old former nurse has been left without usable hot water for almost two months in her sheltered accommodation in West London, describing the situation as being left "to rot" by housing authorities.
Pensioner Forced to Boil Kettles for Basic Hygiene
Janice Charles, who lives in Wimborne Court in Northolt, has been unable to use her shower since December 8th when brown, rusty-coloured water began flowing from her hot taps. The pensioner, a resident of the block for over two decades, now relies on boiling multiple kettles to wash, incurring significant extra electricity costs.
"I turned on the water and a brown liquid like a rusty colour came out," Mrs Charles told reporters. "I reported it to the manager of the block and since then it has not been fixed. The water is brown. The cold water is ok but the hot is disgusting."
36 Residents Affected in Sanctuary Housing Retirement Flats
Mrs Charles is among 36 residents in the retirement flats run by Sanctuary Housing who have been without hot water during this period. She spent both Christmas and New Year without this basic utility, with the problem persisting into late January.
The former nurse expressed particular concern about health risks: "I'm scared for my health with that water – some of the residents are showering in it and hoping it'll be ok. I'm not taking that risk with my health."
Family Considers Legal Action Against Housing Association
Mrs Charles is being supported by her three children, who are considering legal action against Sanctuary Housing for what they describe as a failure in duty of care. The family has sent multiple emails to housing association executives but received no clear timeline for repairs.
Her daughter Amelia stated: "As an elderly tenant, my mother is a vulnerable adult. By failing to address this for over a month, Sanctuary Housing has failed in its duty of care and neglected its basic responsibilities."
Broader Maintenance Issues Plague the Building
Beyond the hot water crisis, residents report additional problems at Wimborne Court including leaks, missing ceiling panels, and a laundry room dryer that has been out of order for months. One elderly resident described the hot water issue as "the tip of the iceberg" regarding the block's maintenance challenges.
Mrs Charles, reflecting on her career as a nurse and other jobs, added: "I've worked hard all my life... and always paid my way and this is what I get in return. I think it's a disgrace. To leave me with no hot water is no way to treat a human being."
Sanctuary Housing's Response and Ongoing Repairs
A spokesperson for Sanctuary Housing acknowledged the problem: "We are continuing to work closely with our contractor to establish the best way to fully resolve the problem with the water tank and are sorry for the concern and disruption residents are being caused."
The housing association, which describes itself as one of the UK's largest not-for-profit housing associations, stated they are "committed to completing the required repairs as soon as possible" and would provide additional support to residents in the meantime. However, block management could provide no definitive timeline for when hot water would be restored.
