A woman who works more than 60 hours a week just to be able to afford her rent has been told by her council that she is in the correct band.

Allison Nunes, 58, and her husband Jose Nunes, 57, of Station Road, Borehamwood, used to own a property in Portugal which was left by Mrs Nunes father.

However after Mr Nunes suffered from a stroke and then relapsed a few years later, Mrs Nunes began looking for a suitable property for them to live in.

She said: “The council told us that they could not give us accommodation because we had a holiday home in Portugal.

“After my daughters sold the property but because of the stress this caused me I had a breakdown and was in Watford General Hospital for six weeks.

“My husband could not work because of the stroke and I was admitted to the hospital so we had no income.”

The couple then moved into a privately rented flat in Station Road but there is no lift and they have to climb up a steep staircase to their home.

Mrs Nunes said: “I have to work at least 60 hours a week just to be able to provide the rent as my husband cannot work.

“Three weeks ago the ambulance service had to come but they could not get my husband down the stairs.

“The fire service had to be called to assist. Luckily he was conscious but it could have been worse.

“Everything in this flat is dangerous. It is not a safe environment for him.”

Because Mrs Nunes is working more hours than she should to be able to afford the rent of her home nobody is giving the proper care her husband needs.

Mrs Nunes has been told by Hertsmere Borough Council that she is currently living in the right housing band but she is urgently looking to move to a more suitable place to live.

She said: “I do not want any benefits or to give up my job. I just want some help. My husband has worked since he was 16 and I have worked all my life.

“All four of our children have gone to university and we have supported them through it. It is just disgusting that when you want help nobody seems to help.”

A Hertsmere Borough Council spokesperson, said: “We are aware of this household. They are on the housing register and have been awarded a high housing need priority.

“We offer appropriate advice to those on our housing register and review their circumstances regularly.

"We are satisfied the correct priority has been awarded and the occupant can continue to bid on suitable properties through the Choice Based Lettings system.”