Hundreds of Silva Homes tenants are entering their second winter with no insulation – despite promises that it would be installed by the end of this summer.

Residents of Boyd Court on Downshire Way, Bracknell, are facing even more months of ‘absolutely freezing’ conditions after already suffering with soaring heating bills last winter.

Temperatures dropped to seven degrees in some homes last winter, with one tenant hospitalised due to the cold conditions, according to a neighbour.

Insulation was removed by social housing firm Silva Homes in 2023 as part of major renovation works, as the company said it was contributing to damp and mould.

It was then promised that it would be complete ahead of the autumn this year - but this has now been delayed to at least the end of December.

A Boyd Court resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “It has become warmer outside my flat than it was inside my flat. They’ve left us to suffer for ten months again when they should’ve sorted it out by now.

“You’re already in a social housing situation for a reason. There shouldn’t be a financial burden put on us who already rely on the system to stay warm.

“You’re lucky to have a property in social housing...but it’s still not liveable.”

Silva Homes has apologised for the delays in starting work to install new insulation and says it ‘shares’ the frustrations of tenants.

Tim Hall, lead asset partner at Abri, which has merged with Silva Homes, said: “Work is expected to begin by mid-November, with an aim to complete a significant proportion before Christmas.”

The ‘most affected homes’ will be targeted first, with work then taking place on a ‘block by block basis’, the spokesperson said.

Mr Hall said that Silva Homes are ‘monitoring the temperature in several flats, all of which are maintaining comfortable levels’.

Following the winter with no insulation last year, residents were offered £50 vouchers towards their energy bills – which residents claimed hardly covered costs of up to £200 a month.

Some have claimed that despite applying for the vouchers, they never received them.

Mr Hall said that Silva Homes has supported customers facing difficulties with energy costs and that it will continue to do so.

Most vouchers have already been claimed by customers, according to the spokesperson.

Silva Homes will be writing to customers this week to provide an update on the planned works.