Q:First off, this isn't about me, but a friend of mine ….
Recently my Landlord told me that he had not received three months' rent from our letting agency, even though we have been paying our rent to them (and I have the proof from the bank of this).
It turns out when I looked into it that, unbeknown to the people they were continuing to take money off, the company was wound up in the beginning of June this year. They did, however, still collect another month's rent nearly one month later at the beginning of July, despite being in the process of being liquidated.
About a week ago I received a letter from the letting agency, or at least claiming to be, asking for bank details to set up a new direct debit for the rent. Of course, the direct debit mandate was blank and did not reveal where they were proposing to have the money sent to. As I am not a fool I cancelled the old direct debit and negotiated a new contract direct with the Landlord.
It would seem to me, however, that the people running the old letting agency are attempting to defraud more money from their former tenants. As far as I can tell, what they are doing is illegal, but despite my best google-fu skills, I cannot find any helpful information on preceisely how this is illegal and if so what to do about it. Companies house shows them as having been wound up on the 6th of June, and the people in the offices nectdoor to them in Bolton state that the bailiffs raided and cleared their place on around the 6th of July. However this new letter trying to get our bank details is dated the 18th of July.
Can anyone provide any advice on how to deal with what appears to be an attempt to defraud former tenants of money? The letter on their official letter headed paper is clearly dated after they were liquidated, but tries to claim that stories about their 'financial difficulties' are being spread by competitors. It makes no reference to their having been wound up and liquidated. However I do not think the Companies House website listing is wrong.
Any ideas?
My friend cares because she does not want to be ripped off, which is what seems to be happening.
Any ideas?
Why does your friend care…. the LA is the AGENT of the LL, if he chose a sh1te one it's the LL's problem not the tenants, the agent he appointed to collect the rent an off with the LLs money – the tenants have proof of paying their rent to the landlord's agent so are square with him…. if they had the deposit too it's the LLs duty to return it even if he never got it in his little paws… choosing their LA was the the LLs choice and he has to deal with that for himself
Rob
If what you say is proved then they were trading illegally and as such the directors are likely to be disqualified (or will be asked to give undertakings not to act as directors for x years).