Tenants in Bristol say they have been left puzzled after receiving letters from two different companies competing for their rent payments.

Sophia Rees, 22, and Nerida Pearce, 24, are unsure which company to pay after being told not to hand over cash to their landlord Myspaceinbristol.

The pair have received letters saying they should start paying their rent to property management company Touchstone.

They have also been ordered to prove they have to right to occupy their flat and warned their locks could be changed.

A confused Ms Rees says she has been unable to get a proper explanation from either company.

Ms Rees, who lives in the one-bedroom flat in Ashley Road, St Paul's, with her three-month-old daughter Annabel, said: "We've been told that Touchstone are now acting on behalf of the mortgage lender and we should pay the rent to them.

"Then we had a notice through from Myspaceinbristol saying 'I'm your landlord, pay me'."

"I've refused to pay the rent until we find out what's going on. I have a new baby and can't afford to lose that amount of money.

In the letter from Touchstone, it says a Matthew Hunt, a Law of Property Act Receiver, has been appointed on behalf of the landlord Simon Tracy, of Myspaceinbristol.

The letter from Bath-based Touchstone warns that legal action could be taken if rent is not paid to them.

It also asks Ms Rees and Ms Pearce to show Touchstone their tenancy documents to prove they have the right to live in the flat.

A notice 'of intent to gain entry' has been attached to their front door saying Touchstone could get into their flat and change the locks.

The Touchstone letter says: "If you're landlord or his agent contacts you regarding this matter, please revert to myself.

"I will then clarify any queries or claims that the landlord may make."

Ms Pearce said: "We don't know what's going on. We're also not sure what's going to happen to our £800 deposit."

Myspaceinbristol is understood to have about 60 properties in Totterdown, St Paul's, Easton and Bedminster but the problem is only thought to have affected a small number of its homes.

The letter from Myspaceinbristol, from Mr Tracy, says: "I have investigated the matter and contacted my solicitors.

"As a consequence I have written to Touchstone asking them to justify their actions which they have failed to respond to.

"As a result, I can confirm you should ignore any future approach from Touchstone."

Tim Candon, a property manager with Myspaceinbristol, which is based in the city centre, said there was a dispute between the company's owner Mr Tracy and a building society, which was being represented by Touchstone.

He said: "Simon Tracy is still the legal owner of the properties and some tenants who've had letters through from Touchstone have called the police.

"The tenants shouldn't be affected because it's between the building society and the legal owner of the properties.

"I've advised a few tenants to go to a solicitor or to the Citizens' Advice Bureau if they're not sure what to do."

A spokeswoman for Touchstone said the company could not discuss private cases.