Landlady out of pocket as Warwick business disappears

A LANDLADY in Warwick has been left almost £1,000 out of pocket after the sudden closure of a town centre letting agent.

Baxter Todd, based in Market Place, shut suddenly a fortnight before Christmas and we have been unable to reach its directors by phone or email for an explanation.

One client of the company, Coventry Road resident Alma Coleman, told the Observer she had two tenant deposits – totalling £874 – which had not been returned to her by the business despite initial promises it would be.

She has since contacted police and the Citizens Advice Bureau but faces forking out the cash herself once the tenants move out.

Ms Coleman said: “I have been a landlady for 20 years without problems. Sometimes a tenant ups and leaves but never a letting agent!

“I was with Baxter Todd for 18 months and there were no issues until now. This should act as a warning to other landlords of what might happen to them if they are not careful.

“I have tried to speak to the owners of the company but no one seems to know how they can be contacted or why I have not had the money returned to me as I was promised.”

The Observer spoke to one former employee of the company this week, who told us that as far as they were aware all other clients of the company had had their money returned to them, but the worker added they could not reach the directors to investigate the problem regarding Ms Coleman's cash.

We tried to contact Carl Baxter, named as managing director of the business, by email and telephone but he had not returned our calls and messages at time of going to press.

Since our story ran we have had responses from other people affected by the Baxter Todd closure.

Claire Wightman told us: "My husband and I were also clients (landlords) of Baxter Todd and had a truly appalling experience with them.

"We are also owed money - several hundred pounds - by the company but are unable to contact them. We are contemplating legal action but cannot elicit any response from Carl Baxter."