AQW 37513/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 05/01/2026
Answered On Date: 02/02/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail the average time taken from a report being made, to completion of repairs or replacement, as a result of tenant-reported heating system problems, in Housing Executive properties, broken down by council area, in each of the last five years.

Answer:

I am advised by the Housing Executive that the requested information is not readily available.

This issue is an operational matter for the Housing Executive.

I have sought the requested information from the Chief Executive, who has advised me as follows:

“Domestic heating faults vary extensively. When a tenant reports any heating fault, it is categorised into one of three groups – Emergency, Urgent or Routine – dependant on the nature of the fault.

EMERGENCY call out – to be responded to by telephone with a triage call within 15 minutes, made safe within 2 hours where applicable and completed within 24 hours.

URGENT work – appointment made with the tenant and work completed within 4 working days.

ROUTINE work – appointment made with the tenant and work completed within 15 working days.

Tenants are not left without any form of heat. Temporary Room Heaters are made available in the event of a repair not being possible at the time of attendance and, where alternative hot water provision is available in the form of an immersion heater, it is ensured that this is operational before leaving the property.”