Retired residents at a sheltered housing complex in Idle, Bradford, are tackling a property firm about window frames they claim are rotting and letting in the cold.

One 74-year-old woman has her heating on 24 hours a day in a bid to warm her flat. Emily Goodall is worried about paying the bills.

“It’s very cold. I’ve got my central heating on 24-seven because it’s been exceptionally cold,” she said.

Residents want window frames replacing, but have been told that will not happen until 2024.

The Dunkhill Croft Residents Association has been speaking to property management firm Places for People about the flats in Idle, Bradford.

The group said the windows should be painted every five years, but Places for People said there was no specific agreement to paint window frames and that external painting work due in 2011 was delayed, after consultation, because money was spent elsewhere. Residents’ association chairman Barbara Mayes said: “To just paint the windows would be throwing good money after bad.”

The sheltered housing complex has 32 flats for people aged over 55, but many people are in their 80s.

Residents part-own the properties and pay a maintenance charge.

Councillor Alun Griffiths (Lib Dem, Idle and Thackley) has been supporting the residents. He said: “I’ve looked at the paint and woodwork and it’s quite clear that it’s deteriorating.”

A Places for People spokesman said details of its shared ownership leasehold scheme were set out in a lease.

He said: “The lease does not contain any specific reference to painting and maintenance works on the windows.

“These works are separately managed by two funds – a sinking fund which is solely for the future replacement or renewal of major components at the scheme; and a maintenance fund which is used for other works including painting. While the maintenance fund is now in credit there were insufficient funds available for the works to be carried out in 2011. We consulted with leaseholders, and sought the opinion of an independent surveyor who recommended a painting programme to take place in 2014.

“Throughout this process we have been transparent, and have offered residents access to our accounts and other documents, which are externally audited”

He said people could call 0800 432 0002 for help.