A MAN was left fuming after claiming that his water bill tripled because of a leaky boiler in his housing association flat.
Ricky Bartlett from Swansea says he’s had water “pouring” through his boiler for almost 12 months and his monthly bill increased from around £13 a month to £30 a month as a result.
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Ricky, who is disabled, said he first noticed his boiler was “playing up” in June, 2021, and promptly raised the issue with his housing association, Pobl.
He said a boiler repairman from an external firm later inspected his boiler and advised that it was outdated and needed replacing.
Ricky passed this information back to Pobl and claims that the housing association did not arrange for the boiler to be replaced.
And he says that he had been unable to manage a leak under his sink and from the boiler due to back issues.
As a result, Ricky claimed the boiler had been pouring out gallons of water every day – significantly upping his water bill.
Pobl told WalesOnline it did carry out urgent repairs but that Ricky had since raised further issues and they would be investigating.
Ricky estimated that around 30 litres of water were pouring out of his boiler each day.
He said he was desperate for the leak to be fixed and his boiler replaced so he could pay for the water he actually used.
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His problems also come amidst a cost of living crisis which has seen fuel bills rocket, and other prices rise sharply.
Ricky said: “My boiler started playing up about 12 months ago, they [Pobl social housing] sent gas people from PH Jones [a heating and boiling repair company] and they said the back of my boiler needed replacing and they were asking for a new boiler [for me].
“I’m classed as disabled and I needed to get under the sink to turn the water off [but I couldn’t do it because of my disability] and the leaking water then rotted my kitchen cupboard.
“The water I’m losing each day is about 30 litres [due to the leak]. My water bill was £13 and now it’s £30 a month.”
He also alleges that Pobl arranged for part of his kitchen cupboard to be removed, due to the water damage, but did not arrange for the leak to be fixed.
Ricky claims he’d asked the housing association to help out on multiple times but to no avail.
After being contacted by Wales Online, Ricky said he had received an initial phone call from Pobl.
He is now awaiting guidance on when it would arrange for the boiler to be changed or the leak fixed.
A spokesperson for Pobl Group said: “Pobl trades team attended the property following reports of a leak to carry out urgent repairs, returning later to replace kitchen units that had been damaged by water.
“Mr Bartlett has recently contacted us again to report further issues and we will be liaising with him to investigate fully.
“This will include looking at the issues around his water bills as a priority. We would like to offer apologies to Mr Bartlett for any inconvenience.”
