WORRIED tenants and clients of a lettings agent have contacted the Adver with fears of lost funds.

Yesterday, both a single mum and an landlord complained they are both currently owed money by Northwood.

The agent’s owner, Brendan Fagan, yesterday told the Adver yesterday that his Commercial Road business had “gone bust”.

The agent, one of 70 across the country, shut up shop leaving numerous people asking questions about how to proceed.

Nadeem Malik, 37, from Freshbrook, owns a Westlea rental property home with his parents and was a Northwood client for two years.

He claimed: “He now owes me more than £1,400 and I have a mortgage on my property. I have had to borrow money from my parents and am in debt now.

“The bank has put a freeze on my interest but I am still struggling and feel helpless at this point.”

Meanwhile, a single mum of one from Park South said she was stunned to find the agency empty when she turned up on Thursday.

The 25-year-old, who asked not to be named, said: “I have been paying £25 a month to Northwood. I am on benefits so this money is vital to me and my daughter.”

She also claimed: “Including my deposit, I am owed about £550 but no one has contacted me about the company going under.

“My landlady said she is selling the house but without this money I am going to have trouble finding somewhere else to live.

“We have been left in the lurch, we have nothing other than these savings.”

Mr Fagan initially told the Adver: “If they sign new contracts I will honour all debts.”

However, he later added that no-one would be out of pocket for having dealt with the Commercial Road branch of Northwood.

He said: “There is no intention to put a single mother out on the street.

We are making arrangements to pay Mr Malik, we are being nice guys.”

He claimed that negotiations were underway for another agency – Letting Smart – to take over Northwood’s clients and debt.

Other lettings agents yesterday said they were aware of the predicament of Northwood’s clients and would be trying to help.

Sue Gidney, owner of Swindon Home Finders, said the company would be offering free advice sessions for tenants and landlords affected by the closure.

The sessions, which will take place at the Home Finders’ Commercial Road offices between 10am and 3pm on Friday and Saturday, will offer free, impartial advice to anyone who is unsure of how to proceed.

She said: “We’ve already had visits from a number of tenants and landlords who have been left in a difficult situation following the closure of Northwood Lettings. Any tenants looking for advice on their rights and the best way to proceed in quickly finding an alternative property, or landlords looking to minimise costly void periods, are invited to attend one of our drop-in advice sessions on Friday and Saturday.”

For further information on the advice sessions contact Swindon Home Finders on 01793 431725.