Elevator repairs left ‘too late’ at a retirement complex meant disabled and elderly residents were stuck in their apartments for weeks.

Residents living at Church Court in the St Matthews area said the broken elevator was one of many issues that had gone unresolved for a long time, despite requests for repairs.

Problems with electricity, boiler replacements and broken garden benches were also on the list of ‘neglected’ areas at the resort.

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Some residents, who have chosen to remain anonymous, have invited LeicestershireLive to visit them after three weeks without elevator repairs.

An elderly woman said she was stuck upstairs for two weeks before sitting down on each step of the stairs so she could exit the building to attend a vaccination appointment.

The 75-year-old woman who uses a walker to get around said she was told she could stay in a hotel, but did not receive a response when asked what her terms were on call or how long she would stay there.

“They didn’t give us any information on if I could have a caregiver there or how long we would be there.

“I asked how long we would stay and they said they didn’t know,” she said.

She remained in her apartment due to a lack of clarity on her care arrangements. Residents say the elevator was repaired shortly after a visit to LeicestershireLive.

“We are all old people living here and when something is broken it is not urgently fixed,” she added.

On a previous occasion, access to a shared shower room was locked after residents complained about hot water issues, the woman said.

LeicestershireLive has contacted Platform Housing Group which manages the complex for comment.

“They said they cared about us but they didn’t”

A 75-year-old man who has lived in the complex for six years said he constantly had problems with the electricity in his apartment, leaving it without working lighting in several rooms.

“They came to fix it, but every time you put a new bulb in it it bursts – something’s wrong with the electricity, I keep telling them,” he said.

Many residents said the resort manager was unable to help and instead were referred to a hotline. But despite several calls, residents were told their concerns would be taken into account, but were unsure of when.

The old man his daughter is caring for added: “They promised us all the facilities are there and that they care about us but they are not.”

Earlier this year, residents were offered a new boiler and new radiators to install.

A resident who opted for the free and optional upgrade said the job was unfinished and damaged her carpets.

The 66-year-old retiree resorted to buying rugs to cover the large black spots left on the floor of her house.

A kitchen cupboard that had to be moved to make it easier to fit the new boiler was also left in its ventilation cupboard instead of being rearranged.

She added that no thermostat was installed in her apartment and that she was not told how to adjust the boiler settings despite having contacted customer service for help with many times.

“It causes me a lot of stress and anxiety because I don’t know how much my bills will be,” she said.

The 66-year-old was one of the residents stranded in their apartment when the elevator broke.

Multiple health and mobility issues meant walking up and down the stairs was tiring and left her in excruciating pain.

“I feel like they’re ignoring me,” she said. “The intercom service was also down – I’m not happy with this place, they aren’t listening to us.”

Residents turned to St Matthew’s community group Women For Change for help when they felt they were being “ignored”. The group continues to assist residents living in the complex to address issues relating to their respective housing concerns with management.