Hemel Hempstead mum criticises council over bidding points error

Michelle Goldthorp, who currently lives in a two-bedroom flat in Hemel Hempstead, came top of the bidding list for a two bedroom house for her family but says that an error by the council has resulted in her losing points and moving 30 places down the bidding list.

She said: "I have been bidding for a house with Dacorum Borough Council. When my son was born I sent them the birth certificate and they allocated me the lacking bedroom space points.

"I emailed them and flagged that up, I asked if that meant I could bid on three-bedroom properties, I was basically highlighting their mistake to them. They did not get back to me.

"It's only now, that they have offered me a house and are going through the paperwork that they have realised their mistake and have now taken the points off me.

"I had a house allocated to me and now because they have made a mistake I can't have it.

"They have taken the points away from me, which means going from number one in the queue, down to 30.

"It's unfair, I was really close to getting a two-bedroom house, and now I can't., it's incompetence on their side, I highlighted the mistake to them at the start but no one bothered responding to me.

"I have a four-year-old daughter and a 16-week-old son, when she turns five she will need her own bedroom.

"I've been told that it was an error by them because my daughter isn't five until May, so they took the lacking bedroom points away from me.

"I have asthma and live in a flat on the first floor, I really struggle with my breathing and carrying the baby in the car seat up the stairs.

"I now no longer leave the house if my partner's not here to help me, he works Tuesday to Saturday, which leaves me stuck in the flat until he's home."

A spokesperson for Dacorum Borough Council said: "We are not able to comment on the circumstances of an individual case.

"As no prior complaint or concern has been raised with us, this should be addressed through the council’s complaints process.

"This will enable us to carry out a full investigation and agree any remedial actions with the complainant."