Police called in after claims of missing money at letting agent

Police are said to be probing a letting agency after complaints about missing deposits and rents.

Trading Standards has confirmed it is helping with an alleged fraud investigation.

The firm, Castle Estates (Norfolk), has county court judgements against it, according to the local newspaper, and has changed its office address twice in the last two months.

It has also apparently misused The Property Ombudsman logo.

The firm’s website says it is the local office of a national residential property management company, Castle Estates. It also claims to deliver high ethical standards. The website was last night displaying the TPO lettings logo.

The Castle Estates website says it used to be a franchising organisation, but now operates as an independent group. It says agents can run their business as a Castle Estate office.

A spokesperson for Norfolk Trading Standards told the local paper: “We have received complaints about this business ... the complaints received include those about landlords not receiving deposits or rents.

“Our enquiries showed that Castle Estates (Norfolk) were no longer trading. We welcome the police investigation and are helping them with their enquiries.”

Norfolk Police has confirmed there is an ongoing criminal investigation into the firm.

The director, Stephen Phillips, is also said to be sole director of another firm, Homestyle Portfolio Solutions.

More at the link below.

https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/business/police_probe_into_norwich_letting_agency_1_2282941