Drôme: almost two days without heating for Paula, 86 years old

Next to two days without heating and without hot water for Paula, an 86-year-old retiree, resident of Drôme Aménagement Habitat accommodation in Montmeyran. The octogenarian is angry, because this is not the first time. There have been frequent breakdowns since 2020 according to her. It lists, for the year 2024, the boiler shutdowns: “in February, three times; March, five times; month of April, the 12th, the 15th, the 18th, the 19th, the 21st, the 24th.“

Paula installed a auxiliary heating to maintain a correct temperature, but she explains that she does not have the means to heat more. Central heating was restored this Thursday, November 21 at the end of the afternoon by the service providerbut this is the third breakdown since mid-October and the restarting of the building's radiators. The six tenants are affected. Paula, wrapped up in her jackets, is losing patience: “I'm over my headlaments the retiree. If I get angry, it's not good for me. I'm going to leave my skin there, me here!“The tenants pay more than thirty euros per month for heating. Colette lives in the building and appeals to Drôme Aménagement Habitat: “I would like them to take matters into their own hands, so that we can finally have a peaceful winter and heat normally“, she testifies.

The lessor says he suspects acts of vandalism

Contacted, the lessor explains that the interventions on this building are very recurring and specifies that the first breakdown in October was due to the interruption of the boiler to set up a temperature monitoring system in the homes. But Drôme Aménagement Habitat suspects acts of vandalism on the gas inlet valve located outside the building. As soon as it is handled, this causes the boiler to go into safety mode.