A LETTING agent is believed to have gone bust – leaving up to 150 landlords and tenants out of pocket by thousands of pounds.

Riverside Housing, on Canvey, is under investigation by the Association of Registered Letting Agents and the Tenant Dispute Service.

Both organisations have been flooded with calls from angry landlords, who rented out properties through the company.

David Oliver, compliance officer at Arla, said: “We have already got some claims registered and we have had many more enquires.”

Riverside had been trading out of premises in Furtherwick Road since 1996.

Things began to unravel on Wednesday, August 4, when a number of landlords turned up at the shop demanding to know why they had not received their rent for the month.

One landlord said: “We were told to come back after 1pm, but when we came back they were shut.”

The shop has not reopened since.

A sign finally went up on the door last week, informing customers the business had ceased trading and advising them to go to Heales, in the High Street, to collect their documents. Heales had agreed to hold on to the documents after they were asked by Riverside’s landlord, who was clearing out the Furtherwick Road premises.

A spokesman said: “We were handed about 150 files, although some of them were empty.

“We did it as a good turn for the landlords, but we are not in anyway associated with Riverside.”

Landlord Tony Simons is owed £1,100 in rent. His tenant has showed him proof they paid the cash to Riverside, but Mr Simons has not seen a penny.

He said: “I signed with Riverside in October and it has never paid the rent on time. I have always had to ask for the money every month.

“I’m owed £1,100 and I’m worried my tenant will lose the deposit.”

Riverside Housing was run by Yvonne Jones, of Downham Road, Canvey.

She was not at home when the Echo called An Essex Police spokesman confirmed they had also had a number of calls about Riverside Housing.

He said: “Police have received a number of complaints about the company but it’s not clear whether this is a civil or a criminal matter and expert advice is being sought.”

l Anyone affected by the closure of the firm should call the ARLA on 0844 387 0555.