A MOTHER has been hit by the government’s controversial “bedroom tax” as she is in a house deemed too big for her needs — but says she was not allowed to downsize because of rent arrears.

Alison Dobson of Crompton Street, Farnworth, had run up housing debts of £150 after falling behind with the rent on her three-bedroom Bolton at Home property.

But since the introduction of the controversial underoccupancy charge, branded “bedroom tax” by opponents, she says her debt has doubled as she is hit by an extra £14-a-week.

The 38-year-old part-time teaching assistant shares the property with her 11-year-old daughter and, under the new rules, she is classed as under occupying.

She says she has been trying to downsize using a national exchange website called HomeSwapper, but that despite finding an ideal new home, Bolton at Home staff told her she could not make the exchange because she was in arrears.

Ms Dobson said her debt is now mounting because the bedroom tax is taking almost half of her disposable weekly income of £30 a week. She added: “I’ve been in the house since 2003 and have been trying to downsize since before the bedroom tax, but it’s been a nightmare.

“I found one I liked and went to look at it, I went to the housing office to try and sort it out, but was told I couldn’t move because I was in arrears.

“They’re trying to free up three-bedroom houses, but not giving you the option to move.”

A Bolton at Home spokesman said it was unable to comment on individual cases, but that HomeSwapper rules prevented someone from exchanging if they were in arrears.

He added that there were other moving options available.

The spokesman said: “Long-term rent arrears can’t simply be written off, so we support customers wanting to move in ways that will allow payment agreements according to their circumstances with our downsizing and local ‘find a home’ services.”

Further advice is available for tenants on 01204 329 634.