A letting agent operating in Cambridgeshire has seemingly 'gone to ground', owing landlords and tenants thousands of pounds.
Frank Smart, who has been running Smart Residential in Newmarket for over a decade, closed his agency at the end of July and hasn't been heard from since early August.
At the time, the agent said the reason for the closure was due to 'unforeseen circumstances' around a move to a new premises.
Smart posted a notice on the door and posted on social media, saying: 'Yes I am still alive and no I have not gone on a cruise (sadly). However, I have had no choice but to close the office this week due to a major glitch with the planned move to the new office premises'.
According to local paper the Newmarket Journal, Smart is not responding to efforts to contact him and some landlords are now owed more than three months' rent for properties he manages on their behalf.
A number of tenants have also expressed their concerns to the local press that their deposits have not been protected with a government-approved scheme.
A Facebook group has since been set up by disgruntled landlords and tenants, which now has over 60 members.
Those affected are being encouraged to contact Action Fraud. You can see the local press report here.
A new survey reveals that the safety of client funds is...
Letting agencies should review banking and payment systems in the light of...
Leading portals Zoopla and OnTheMarket have today announced that they will...
A former lettings agent has been jailed for almost three years...
When we talk in general terms about the UK housing market,...
The plight of the nation’s first-time buyers may be the focus...
Dog-owning house buyers who want to live in areas of abundant...
%20-%20IMAGE%20Client%20Accounting%20%E2%80%93%20what%20are%20your%20options.jpg)
The benefits for letting agents to outsource their client accounting is...
Let's be honest – landlords are the lifeblood of any letting...
.png)
I think we can all agree that the National Trading Standards...
Attention estate agents: if you're looking for a bumper Christmas bonus,...
Houses in Multiple Occupation are making up an increasing percentage of...
A lettings agency has been expelled from The Property Ombudsman scheme...
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has launched a new Residential...
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has launched a new Residential...
There’s been at most a one per cent reduction in landlords...
Tenant groups and charities reacted angrily over the Easter weekend to...
Who are you and what does it say on...
Who are you and what does it say on...
Who are you and what does it say on...
Join the conversation
Jump to latest comment and add your reply
https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/06403818/officers
thanks
Please login to comment