Senior citizen tenants of a Mount Vernon apartment building say they have been without steady heat since the temperatures have dropped and that it?s not the first time.

The North Third Avenue residents say there has been no heat for the past two winters and they are fed up.

Vera Scarpati, 88, says she?s been forced to use electric heaters because the vents in her apartment rarely provide heat. When they do, she says, it?s not enough to keep her warm.

Building manager Linda Jennings told News 12 Westchester the Mount Vernon Department of Buildings inspected the heat Wednesday and found nothing wrong. She says no tenants have ever filed complaints with the superintendent.

Gary Fuller of Mount Vernon United Tenants says residents haven?t spoken up because they feel intimidated and threatened by management. The tenants group says it has been collecting dues and will take the issue to court if management does not act soon.