A social housing group has had to shell out to replace state-of-the-art ‘eco boilers’ at a new homes complex in Bradford – after tenants complained of sky-high bills.

The group, Incommunities, has also agreed to reimburse people who live in the 21-homes development in Scholemoor Lane after some tenants received electricity bills of up to £1,500 a quarter.

Resident Fred Vickers, who has severe arthritis in his knees and hips, said he had his heating turned off most of the time after learning of the bills racked up by some tenants using the NIBE boiler system.

The 60-year-old said: “It scared me to death when I heard what my neighbours’ bills were.”

But even his extreme measures did not stop him avoiding a £500 bill for one month.

He contacted the Telegraph & Argus after reading about similar problems residents of Pavilion Gardens in Dudley Hill, Bradford, were having with the same type of heating system.

They were also furious at astronomical bills they had received.

Bradford Council has insisted they will be reimbursed.

Mr Vickers, who lives in one of 21 houses that were built for Incommunities in 2010, said there had been “talk of low bills” when he moved in.

“After about 18 months, with some bills of £500 per month, the landlord Incommunities took them out and replaced them with gas combi boilers,” said Mr Vickers. “The new boilers are great, but unlike the tenants in the T&A story, no mention was made about compensation.”

The T&A contacted Incommunities on Mr Vickers’ behalf.

Its spokesman said: “These are properties that were built in 2010. Once we were made aware of issues with this particular heating system, as a caring and responsible landlord we contacted all our customers at the 21 new homes at Scholemoor Lane and fitted replacement A1 rated energy efficient combi boilers.

“We also reimbursed those households who sent in bills showing high electricity costs.”

He added: “We have had no claim from Mr Vickers. If he can provide the electricity bills we will reimburse him. We have reimbursed other people.” The spokesman could not say how much Incommunities had to pay out when reimbursing customers.