An estate and letting agency in the Black Country has suddenly closed down leaving landlords mystified as to what is happening with their properties.

Payne’s Rentals and Sales in Stone Street, Dudley has shut and a note put up on the door stating the firm has “ceased trading with immediate effect”.

Owner Richard Payne, speaking at his home in Wombourne last night, said he had been forced to abandon the business due to ill-health and receivers had been called in.

But Hemant Patel, who has been renting through the agents for the past year, said he had been given no warning that the firm could close and was concerned about rent money still owed to him. Mr Patel said: “As far as I was concerned everything was normal. Everything’s up in the air. I spoke to another landlord and he is in the same situation as me, not knowing what to do.”

The window of the store is still full of adverts listing properties available for rent while the firm’s office in High Street, Bilston is also closed.

Mr Patel, aged 39, of Glazebrook Road, Dudley, who has rented a four-bedroom home in Tividale through Payne’s for the past 13 months, claims he is owed £1,300 in rent.

There are also worries about the whereabouts of security bonds held on deposit which should be repaid to tenants by the letting agent at the end of the contract, assuming there are no arrears or damage.

But Mr Payne, aged 64, who has run the business for 11 years, said these funds are safe as the firm is part of the UK Association of Letting Agents.

“I’ve not been in the best of health. I really don’t feel able to continue to work any longer,” he added. “The receivers are winding up the business because it just got to the point where I didn’t feel able to do it myself.”

The note on the door reads: “Payne’s Rentals has ceased trading with immediate effect and its affairs are being dealt with by Frazer & Frazer, 7 The Crescent, Lytham St Annes, FY8 1SN.”

Moorfoot Estates letting agency in Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton, also closed suddenly this week.