A HOUSING company has apologised after elderly residents in a retirement complex in Chester were left without central heating and hot water.

The Standard was contacted yesterday (Monday, March 5) by the granddaughter of one woman in her eighties who lives at Newton House on Tiverton Close.

She said the boiler at her gran’s home had been out of action since Thursday at a time when temperatures had dropped below zero.

Sanctuary Housing had provided electric heaters but these were inadequate and clearly did not resolve the hot water issue.

She did not wish to leave a name as the residents were reluctant to be identified and seen to make a fuss, she said.

In response, a Sanctuary spokesman said: “We are sorry for the inconvenience this issue has caused residents at Newton House.

“We were first made aware of a problem with the heating and hot water on Thursday and immediately delivered temporary electric heaters to residents. Our engineers attended the same day and identified the issue was affecting properties on the ground floor which were without full strength heating and hot water.

“Our engineers are on-site today working to resolve the problem as quickly as possible, while our housing staff are checking in on all residents and updating them on progress.”

Built in 1995, Newton House is a managed block of 37 flats.