A disabled council tenant fears spending another winter in debt after waiting more than two years for gas central heating due to a problem with a contractor.
Arlene Watson moved into her home in Forfar’s Peffers Place in July 2017 and claims Angus Council promised she would have gas central heating within a year.
She is still waiting, stating she is the only person in her street without gas.
She has a £590 bill for electricity from March 27 to June 27 this year and is dreading the cold winter months.
She said: “I have been told there has been a problem with the contractor.
“I am having to use an electric fire in my living room, the council are not helping me at all.
“I have a massive hot water tank which takes a good few hours to fill up so I just use the kettle to heat up water. If I had gas, it would be a lot cheaper.”
Mrs Watson, 46, who is registered disabled, has been in constant touch with the council to find out when work will begin.
She said: “I am having to fork out a lot for my electricity – the fire in the living room is running up my bill.
“Apparently there are no contractors and I am going to have to face another winter with sky high debt.
“Last winter I was using pay as you go but was told it would be cheaper if I went on a fixed tariff but I am still in debt.
“When I moved in I was told the house was down for gas central heating within a year. I am still waiting.”
She took storage heaters off the walls in her living room, two bedrooms, bathroom and hall when she was decorating but has not put them back on as she claims they are too expensive to run.
She also did not want to re-decorate if the electric heaters were removed to have gas radiators fitted.
An Angus Council spokesperson said: “Angus Council is currently in the process of establishing a new gas heating installation contract, following a dispute regarding performance issues with the previous contractor.
“This was recently concluded by both parties in a settlement agreement.
“Accordingly, we will be in contact with tenants directly to inform them when their installation work will take place.
“We thank them for their patience whilst we go through the necessary procurement process in line with Government guidelines.”
