A Bristol family-of-three say they are living in squalor while they wait for vital repairs to their home.

Jennifer Hardwell, who lives in Mendip Crescent, Downend, with her two daughters, one of whom is disabled, has been without hot water for more than two weeks and is also waiting for kitchen and bathroom to be repaired.

The 31-year-old said she "feels down" about the state of the house, owned by Merlin Housing Association, and has been constantly "teased" with the promise of a refit.

She said: "I've been waiting for a new kitchen ever since I moved in here eight years ago. There is hardly any space and no cupboard doors. An inspector came and said it would be a priority case but that was almost a year ago.

"The latest I've been told is that I'll get it done in February 2010 but I've got my doubts. My toilet isn't screwed down to the floor properly and I've got a piece of net curtain instead of a bath panel and now the latest is the lack of hot water.

"We're lucky my sister lives upstairs so the girls can go up there.

"My 10-year-old has Global Development Delay, which basically means her mental age is lower than her physical age. She has bladder control problems so obviously we need to be able to wash clothes in hot water.

"We have been given a plan of how the new kitchen will look but now they say there will be delays in getting it done, even though other people on this street are getting refits in the meantime. It's like they are just teasing me."

Mark Haines, head of property services at Merlin, said: "We'd like to apologise to Ms Hardwell. It is not acceptable that any of our residents should be without hot water for such a length of time. Ms Hardwell called us on October 12 and our contractors PH Jones visited the property later that day. After a detailed inspection, the engineer recommended that the boiler should be replaced.

"Unfortunately following the engineer's visit there has been a delay in getting the new boiler. We have now arranged for it to be installed as soon as possible. We will also bring forward the work to improve the rest of the heating system in her home. Ms Hardwell will also be receiving a new kitchen and bathroom at her home as part of our £70 million programme of improvements and this will take place as planned in January."