A mother along with her two children were left for more than a week living in freezing temperatures after an electrician who was working for her housing association turned her boiler off. Anne Marie Gibbins, of Underhill Court, High Barnet, spent 9 days battling with her housing association Barnet Homes to try and solve her heating problem before Christmas.

An electrician last Monday carried out routine checks on the boiler, however, said that the boiler may be unsafe to use due to it looking ‘rusty and corroded’. Last night it was finally turned on, although the full time mother is furious that she was left in the wintry temperatures for so long with her 2 children Rosie (6 months) and Connor (2). The 26 year old mother said, “It’s been a waiting game. I had a complete breakdown on the phone last week, it’s been very stressful. I’ve been wrapped up warm in jumpers but I’m worried about how it will affect the children. Connor might have asthma so this isn’t helping. I could barely bath my children. I had to take them to my mum or dad’s houses – but that’s really impractical just before bed.”

On Monday night, a contractor came to check that the gas meter was in working order, however when another electrician showed up, he said to Anne Marie, that he wouldn’t be able to switch back on the boiler without first consulting his boss. Ms Gibbons had received 2 heaters from Barnet Home, which she had to hide out of the reach of her toddler son.

A statement from Barnet Homes said, "Following a visit to Ms Gibbins property to undertake an annual gas safety check, some irregularities were discovered with the boiler installed in the property. And in line with Gas Safe regulations and Barnet Homes Gas Safety Policy the boiler had to be disconnected to allow further investigations to be undertaken.”