Guernsey Press

Landlords and tenants to get cash owed by agency

LANDLORDS and tenants who are owed money by Sarnia Estate Agents are set to be repaid after a designated fund was put aside by liquidators Grant Thornton.

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(Picture by Peter Frankland, 22576802)

Joint liquidator Jamie Toynton announced yesterday that, based on current estimates, there was enough money in the company to repay deposits and rent advances.

‘These funds are specifically held for the repayment of deposits not yet paid over by Sarnia to landlords under the terms of managed property agreements, or for the few individuals who so unfortunately had paid over funds for deposit and advance rent at the time of the liquidation but their tenancy was not subsequently agreed,’ he said.

The funds will be paid once the liquidators have confirmed the total amount available is sufficient to pay the amounts owed in full.

Any landlord owed money by Sarnia should submit a proof of claim to Mr Toynton by 15 October.

The intention is to distribute money to approved claimants on 1 November.

Mr Toynton sought to remind tenants who have dealt with Sarnia that their tenancy agreement is between the tenant and the landlord, and not with the firm.

Therefore any claims tenants may have should be made directly to the landlord or any new agent the landlord has appointed.

Mr Toynton said the liquidators were ‘not yet able to advise whether there will be sufficient assets to make any payment in respect of other creditor claims’.

Sarnia was placed under voluntary liquidation on 28 August, with Mr Toynton and Benjamin Rhodes of Grant Thornton appointed to assess the company’s assets and liabilities.

More than 40 people made complaints to the Guernsey Police Financial Crime Team after Sarnia disappeared from its High Street premises at the end of July.

It deleted its Facebook page shortly after a client went public about being unable to contact them on the eve of moving into a rental property.

Repeated attempts to contact the business and its sole director Alex Ford have been unsuccessful.

  • Sarnia Estate Agents investor Quinten Hubbard was listed in the Petty Debts Court actions last week by advocates Mourant Ozannes for a sum of £1,500 in his name. He denies owing any personal money.

Mr Hubbard also appeared in the Petty Debts Court on behalf of Quay Trading (Guernsey) Limited, which is being actioned for £500 by Mourant Ozannes.

Both claims have been adjourned until 1 November, the same day that Grant Thornton is set to distribute funds to landlords.

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