When is a three-bedroom house not a three bedroom house? When it is a three-bedroom house with a dining room.
That is the reason a devastated family was given when they were told the three-bedroom house they were told they could move into after six years of waiting was actually a four bedroom house and they would have to carry on waiting.
Parents-of-three Nicola and Jason Oatham, who have a daughter with severe autism, live in a two bedroom property in California Close but have been on the waiting list for a three bedroom house for six years - for three of those years they have been a medical priority because of their daughter's needs.
Mr Oatham, who runs a mobile coffee van and full-time mum Mrs Oatham were told they were at the top of the list and were then invited to view a property on Friday, November 8.
They went to view the three bedroom house and told Sutton Housing Partnership (SHP) they wanted to move in. Mrs Oatham said: "On the Friday afternoon she phoned and officially offered us the property.
"We were overjoyed. It won't solve resolve all the issues but it will give our daughter the space she needs.
"On Monday the phone rang and I saw the number and I thought it was SHP calling to say we could pick up the keys - but actually it was them saying they had to withdraw the offer because the downstairs dining room counted as a bedroom so we didn't qualify.
"We were devastated. It just felt so unfair. We'd got our hopes up and even told our daughters about it - they were picking out the wallpapers they wanted. To have that taken away like that was just so upsetting.
Mr and Mrs Oatham are seeking legal advice to find out if a verbal contract for the house should be binding.
An SHP spokeswoman said: "The property verbally offered to Mr and Mrs Oatham was incorrectly advertised as a three bedroom property and is in fact classified as a four bedroom property.
"Prior to any tenancy agreement being signed, Mr and Mrs Oatham were contacted and the offer was withdrawn.
"Sutton Housing Partnership apologise for the obvious disappointment this has caused the family but the demand for housing in the borough exceeds the supply available.
"An alternative suitable three bedroom property has been identified for Mr and Mrs Oatham and we hope that this will meet their family's needs."
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