A letting agent was portrayed on the BBC’s Watchdog programme yesterday evening.

The Rogue Traders segment followed local newspaper reports that Lancashire Police are investigating.

The agency is said to be Lancaster Property Network Management (LPNM).

A spokesman for the BBC said: “Rogue Traders have been investigating a local lettings agent John Sanderson, who runs LPNM. The team investigate why he has left landlords and tenants in the lurch owing them many thousands of pounds.”

LPNM’s former manager John Sanderson -– who now runs a new student lettings company, One Stop Lancaster – strongly rejects any allegations against the previous firm.

He said: “I respect the police’s responsibility to investigate any matter reported to them by anybody; even those matters which are not supported by evidence.

“If I am contacted by the police, I will fully cooperate with any investigation but I know that no fraud has taken place. As far as I understand, the liquidator of LPNM will be investigating all matters regarding the finances of the company.”

He also said: “LPNM was designed to act in the interests of landlords, to maximise their rental income and minimise administrative workload, providing a seamless service for landlords and students alike.

“Unfortunately, the student housing market experienced unprecedented changes, which impacted LPNM’s business model as well as all other student accommodation providers. Despite significant financial investment into LPNM, the business was no longer able to honour the levels of guaranteed income agreed with the landlords.

“Every effort was made to remedy the situation. However the business went into liquidation proceedings on September 10.”