Spiremark Property Rentals, in Palmerston Road, Woodston, has been accused by landlords and tenants of holding back rental payments and deposits, leaving people and businesses out of pocket.

The Evening Telegraph has received a number of complaints in recent weeks from angry customers, some of whom claim they are owed more than a thousand pounds.

A private landlord, who wished to remain anonymous, used the agency to let out a property in Stilton, near Peterborough.

She said: "We rented the property with them for eight years, but recently I started to have problems contacting them over rental money not being paid on time."

She said her tenant had told he had a problem obtaining his deposit back for the property.
"He was worried because he and his partner were buying a house in Peterborough and they needed the deposit back to pay for legal fees.

"I spoke to my solicitor and she explained that, although I had not had the money, I was still responsible for it and I could be taken to court and made to pay three times the amount of the deposit to the tenant if he wanted it.

"I agreed to pay the money for what he told me he had paid to Spiremark, as I could not get hold of them to find out how much it was.

"My monthly rent payments have also been moving further back every month and then the last month's rent, I never received.

"Basically, it's about £1,000 I am owed from Spiremark, but because I have had to take legal advice, it's altogether around £1,500."

The landlord claimed she has made several attempts to contact Spiremark by calling, writing and emailing, but to no avail.

The Evening Telegraph has also tried to reach Spiremark for comment by phone and visiting the Woodston office.

But at the time of going to press we were unable to make contact.

A Cambridgeshire police spokesperson confirmed an arrest had been made as part of their investigation into the complaints.

She said: "Police are investing allegations of fraud at Spiremark Property Rentals.

"A 40-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of fraud and has been bailed to return to Thorpe Wood Police Station on February 10. Investigations are continuing and anyone with information should contact Sergeant Tudor Treharne at Thorpe Wood Police Station."