A mum from Reading has expressed her desperation over being left in freezing temperatures at her council flat.
Elaine Parry-Taylor is a single mum who lives on her own at a top-floor council flat in Corwen Road, Tilehurst.
Since moving there in 2019 she has faced a myriad of issues, with damp, mould and a lack of hot water.
She recently made a desperate appeal to have her home properly heated before Christmas.
Ms Parry-Taylor said she has faced difficulty conducting essential tasks due to a lack of heating and hot water.
She said: “I can’t dry my washing. There is no way of drying it in this weather. I’m putting it on the balcony but it takes three days to dry and it starts to go mouldy.
“It’s freezing cold all the time. The electricity metre is costing me a fortune.”
She also claimed that a light in her boiler compartment has been left on for months, costing her more electricity.
Ms Parry-Taylor claimed she has resorted to warming up water using her hob to have warm water in her bath as no hot water comes from her taps.
She said: “It’s about 9 C at the moment, and that’s cold. It’s about as cold inside as it is outside.
She has previously called to be relocated while issues with her flat are fixed.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) confronted the council with her complaints.
The council has since liaised with Ms Parry-Taylor’s gas provider to fix any issues with her boiler.
A spokesperson said: “The council has continued trying to engage with the tenant in question to help where possible.
“Our energy support team have assisted Ms Parry-Taylor in contacting her supplier, who have topped up her gas meter, and her gas system has been serviced and is now working.
“To ensure the gas system continues to function , Ms Parry-Taylor will need to top up the gas meter when the credit runs out, as previously advised.
“We are happy to discuss future housing options open to Ms Parry-Taylor should she wish to engage with us on this.”
