© ScunthorpeLive/Donna CliffordChristine claims the problem has been going on for months
A couple who repeatedly complained about heating issues in their bungalow claim they have had to use the oven to keep warm amid -4C cold.
Christine and Malcolm Smith say their radiators failed again over the weekend, reports Grimsby Live - as Storm Darcy struck.
This left them sitting in their home in icy temperatures, which they claim has left them struggling to sleep.
Christine, 64, says the problem has been going on for weeks and she is particularly worried as Malcolm, 69, has dementia and Alzheimer's.
But Ongo, who manage the property, said there are no faults and the issue is being caused by a curtain affecting the thermostat.
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The temperature in Scunthorpe, the couple's hometown, has hovered between 0C and 1C amid the cold snap - but has 'felt like' -4C.
Christine said: "We have had nothing but problems with the heating since we moved here in October.
"A plumber came to look at the radiators several times last week and the heating would come back on for a few hours, but soon go off again not long after.
"On Sunday night, it was four degrees inside the house when the radiators went off. I was worried for Malcolm, as he needs to keep warm.
"I put a throw, a fleece and hot water bottle on him to keep him warm.
"It was too cold for me to sleep, I ended up sitting in the kitchen with the oven door open to keep warm.
"The worst affected rooms have been the lounge and the kitchen, where we spend most of our time.
"We didn't expect this at all from a new build - the properties on this street were supposed to be the flagship homes.
"It's 2021 for God's sake and we don't have heating. How can I keep my husband warm and safe like this?"
Ongo said workers have inspected the problems several times and believe that a curtain is causing the thermostat to turn off incorrectly.
The couple dispute this.
© Grimsby Telegraph / MEN MediaChristine said she slept with the oven door open to keep warm
Development project manager Amy Schoenmaker, of Ongo, said: "Following another report of a radiator not working at this address, and T.G Sowerby engineers attending several times, on February 9 we arranged for an independent review to be carried out of the heating system.
"The review was carried out the following day (February 10), and the Engineer found the system to be in fully working order, with no faults. Corresponding with findings from previous visits carried out by T.G Sowerby.
"Findings from the review were that the heating is being used at 22-25 degrees but with curtains blocking thermostats on radiators, so once it gets to that temperature it automatically turns off, to save energy.
"This has been explained several times, the tenants have been shown how to work the system and we have advised against allowing the curtains to cover the radiators."
Maintenance firm T.G. Sowerby also believe the problem to be a user issue.
Managing director Steve Sowerby said: "These properties were built by T.G Sowerby Developments and we are responsible for the maintenance of them for the first 12 months.
"This matter was reported to me last Thursday (February 4) as a radiator not getting hot.
"Upon every visit it would appear to be a user issue and not a system one, and we have reported this back to Ongo.
"We have attended within a few hours of each call, and the tenant has received an excellent service from our Heating Engineers.
"We understand Ongo are arranging a separate visit themselves, to resolve this as quickly as possible."
The Mirror has contacted Ongo and T.G. Sowerby for further comment.