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MP Karen Buck |
Terminally ill tenant bill ‘sorry’
Council apologises for £390 rent demand sent out to woman dying of cancer
WESTMINSTER City Council has apologised for sending out an arrears notice to a terminally ill cancer patient.
The blunder emerged when MP Karen Buck raised the plight of her constituent at Prime Minister’s Question Time, attacking the council’s behaviour over the £390 rent bill that would have left the woman facing eviction.
No sooner had Prime Minister Gordon Brown called for an investigation, the council rescinded the notice, apologised for the “mistake” and has now made a donation to the Macmillan Cancer Trust.
Labour MP for Regent’s Park and Kensington North Ms Buck said: “The government has rightly concentrated on trying to help the number of people facing repossession because of mortgage arrears.
“Yet a constituent of mine who is gravely ill with cancer has been told by Conservative-controlled Westminster Council’s housing arm that she is being taken to court, facing eviction and court costs for owing just £390.
“Do you share my shock at this behaviour and isn’t it right that councils and other landlords should concentrate on cracking down on this behaviour and supporting vulnerable people through these difficult times?”
The tenant is understood to live in a flat managed by CityWest Homes in the Westbourne Park area.
The council offered its “sincere apologies” and said no further action would be taken.
Councillor Philippa Roe, the cabinet member for housing at Westminster Council, said: “This letter was sent by mistake by CityWest Homes, which manages Westminster’s housing stock on behalf of the council.
“It clearly should not have been sent and both ourselves and CityWest Homes have apologised to the tenant for this error and have assured her that no further action will be taken.
“In addition, to help make amends, we have offered to make a donation to the Macmillan Cancer Trust on the tenant’s behalf.
“We have launched an investigation into how this incident occurred to ensure it does not happen again.
“The housing needs of all of our tenants are a major priority for us and once again we and CityWest Homes would like to offer our sincere apologies to the tenant for this mistake.” |
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