I won £2m house in lottery but I was never allowed to move in – I got just £5k instead because of ‘confusing’ loophole
A COMPETITION winner has told how she was given just £5,000 after being promised a £2million house because of a “confusing” loophole.
Schoolteacher Loretta was announced as the winner of a Win My Home competition for a house in Nottingham’s Park Estate earlier this month.
Video shows the moment she found out she won – with a woman arriving on her doorstep with flowers and champagne.
She is heard saying: “You’re the winner of our Nottingham prize draw” – but did not clarify what she had won.
Loretta was later told that she would not be getting the house and instead was given just £5,000 because of a loophole in the competition’s small print.
Terms and conditions on the competition website say if £2.5million of net sales are not reached then the winner will receive 50 percent of the net proceeds.
But on the occasion the organiser made a loss – and said they gave Loretta £5,000 as a goodwill gesture.
The 35-year-old was left “heartbroken” when she found out what had happened.
Speaking to Nottinghamshire Live, she explained “Two people came and they said ‘yes you’ve won’ and I was like ‘yes, where are my keys?’
“And they told me I hadn’t won the house but I had won a grand prize of £5,000. I was like ‘right, thanks’ and they said ‘unfortunately because we didn’t raise enough money I can’t give you the house’.”
Loretta had entered the competition for the six-bedroom four-story villa in the hopes of getting her family out of their council house which has “horrible” mould.
She said: “Even if they said we can’t give you the house but here’s £50,000, it’s something. But £5,000? £5,000 now can’t even get you gas and electrics.”
Win My Home posted the video of Loretta on their website with the caption: “Congratulations to our Winner, Loreta from Nottingham!
“Newly married of 2.5 months, she and her husband have been looking to buy their first home together!
“We’re so happy for you both and wish you all the best for your next chapter.”
The Sun has contacted Win My Home for comment.