HUNDREDS of tenants are being forced to face the bitter winter cold without heating due to a maintenance issue at their apartment complex.
Residents at Chelsea Wood Condominiums in Greenbelt, Maryland, located approximately 32 miles south of Baltimore, have been enduring a lack of heating in their homes since the beginning of December.
But despite their numerous complaints to management, the residents will brave the frigid temperatures for several more weeks.
Tonyia Thompson, who suffers from sciatica that worsens in the cold, said she was frustrated with the issue.
“I have on a sweat suit on double down,” she told NBC affiliate WRC-TV, sitting on a couch in her home wearing a beanie hat and large jacket.
“And then I had two and three throws on my knees to protect because of my pain and everything like that.”
The tenants said management informed them that a broken pipe was causing the heating issue.
However, there won’t be a resolution until well into January.
RCN Management posted letters near the mailboxes in each building informing tenants of the problem.
The letter said a system of underground pipes needed to be repaired.
But they stressed it could take contractors up to three weeks to fix the problem.
“I’m not trying to freeze to death,” Thompson told ABC affiliate WUSA.
“I’m under cold for a long period of time, my knees give out, my back and everything.”
According to Jennifer Everett, using space heaters is not a viable option due to the potential strain they could impose on both her apartment and the overall electrical system of the building.
“If you are plugging in more than one, your fuses are going to blow,” Everett said from her home as she wore a scarf.
“It’s a shame for people that have babies, animals, older adults who depend on this.”
RCN Management also informed the tenants that they will no longer manage the complex after December 31, saying a new company will take over.
The Chelsea Wood Condominiums did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The U.S. Sun.
Thompson said she did not want to abandon her home because of the problems management should fix.
“My thing is, I own this. I don’t feel that I have a right to leave because what people are not doing. It doesn’t make sense,” she told WUSA.
