Centro has been forced to field questions from its joint venture partners and retailers about its capability as a shopping centre manager after reports that the landlord is refusing to carry out basic repairs.

Melbourne-based Salta Properties, which owns a centre jointly with Centro, has pressed the operator about its new management team and its ability to run the shopping centre in Melbourne.

There has also been market speculation that Bob Ell's Leda Holdings has some concerns about how its Centro joint venture centres were being managed, although a company spokesperson would not comment on the claims.

This week, Centro retailers from around the country have told The Australian of toilets that have not been fixed for 18 months in a Centro mall, tenants packing up and fleeing malls at night without paying rent and questionable choices of new tenants.

The Australian