COJ Ombudsman: No Assistance

On 27 August 2025 I lodged a formal complaint with the COJ Ombudsman, and had no assistance with regards to this matter.

I have been trying to get this issue resolved since 2016.

Our property is currently experiencing a complete disruption of water.

This prolonged and critical service failure is compounded by multiple metering irregularities and the failure to comply with a court-ordered restoration and inspection.

The lack of essential services constitutes a severe health and safety risk, particularly for an 80-year-old bedridden resident. Our official dedicated electricity meter is not connected or operational and I have been informed by contractors that we are currently connected to or billed via our neighbour's electricity meter. It won't be the first time, as we had our meter replaced a few times. This discrepancy requires immediate investigation and correction.

Essential services, including the boiling of water for sanitation, are being performed using gas appliances.

Following a court order issued 23 May 2024, an attempt was made to restore the electricity. This attempt was improperly executed, resulting in the current unconnected/inoperable status of the meter.

Judge Crutchfield explicitly mandated that the utility dispatch a qualified technician to conduct a comprehensive inspection of both the water and electricity meters and all corresponding connections.

This inspection ordered by Judge Crutchfield has never been performed, despite the clear and ongoing service failures and meter irregularities.

The continued absence of water and electricity poses a direct and immediate threat to the health and safety of the residents. This household includes an 80-year-old, bedridden individual who requires constant care. The lack of basic utilities makes it exceptionally difficult to maintain the necessary hygiene and support required for her care, placing her at significant health risk.

In the meantime we have an inflated bill, and there's no resolution.

I thought that the Ombudsman would be able to assist, but there's none. I am fed up an at my wits end, and don't know where to turn to anymore.