Shane Creighton, who lives in Mountbatten House, Daventry, moved into his new home on December 10 to find no gas meter installed.

He was told by Daventry and District Housing that he would have to solve the problem himself and has made seven appointments with E.ON to come and install a gas meter at the property.

The company has only kept one appointment, last Friday (14th) and told Mr Creighton the landlord would need to unlock a cupboard for them to install the gas meter.

Mr Creighton said: “I have got another appointment to have a gas meter installed on Tuesday but time will tell whether they come out or not.

“I have got an ear infection, a bad throat and a cold all as a result of the stress of being without any gas in the property.

“I am literally huddled on the sofa with a quilt round me all of the time just to get any warmth.”

He has criticised Daventry and District Housing for letting the property without a working gas supply.

Mr Creighton added: “I am just disappointed that the property has been let out to me when there was no gas meter. I feel completely and utterly violated.”

Steve Haywood, head of asset management at Daventry and District Housing, said: “We are sorry to hear that our resident has been without a working gas supply for some time. We do try to work with residents and energy providers to ensure a safe gas supply is available when new residents move in.”

The housing association has now been in touch with E.ON to ensure the gas meter will be installed at the flat.

Mr Haywood added: “Our repairs manager is also intending to visit Mr Creighton to explain the situation further. We will do everything we can to work with the tenant and energy provider so that the meter can be fitted and the gas supply connected.”

A spokesman for E.ON said: “We have not been able to gain access to a locked cupboard where the gas meter will be installed. The landlord is aware of the situation and we hope we can resolve the problem as quickly as possible.”