Trading Standards and police are said to be investigating claims about a letting agent that closed abruptly, allegedly leaving customers out of pocket because of missing deposit money.

Giraffe Residential in New Malden, Surrey, is believed to have closed without warning in December.

A letter from Giraffe director Chandra Patel to customers said the company had to “cease trading due to large financial difficulties”, adding: “No payments can be made as unfortunately there are no funds or assets and the company is now taking steps to be dissolved.”

Landlords have told the local newspaper of having to pay their tenants their deposit money.

A spokesperson for the local council at Kingston-on-Thames said: “We are aware, and are currently investigating to see whether there are breaches of the law that need enforcing.”

The local Guardian newspaper reported the story here