CAMPAIGNERS have declared: “We need change now,” after a company owned by Manchester City Council and Abu Dhabi United threatened to evict tenants if they don’t accept above-inflation rent rises.

The Star understands that property firm Manchester Life, jointly owned by the council and the Emirati company, has sent scores of section 21 eviction notices to residents of the recently built Smith’s Yard complex in the city’s Ancoats district.

Residents have been told that, unless they accept a 5 per cent rent increase for next year, they could face eviction within two months.

Under the 1988 Housing Act, issuing a section 21 notice allows landlords to evict tenants without offering any reason — even if the property is in perfect condition and the rent is paid on time.

The notices were sent out despite a manifesto pledge by Manchester Labour Party, which controls the council, to take measures against section 21.

In addition, council leader Sir  Richard Leese  is a director of Manchester Life.

Kat Wright, a local organiser for the tenants’ union Acorn, told the Star: “On its website, Manchester Life claims to ‘rebalance the relationship between landlord and tenant to one of equals.’

“When residents can be threatened with eviction without warning and unceremoniously kicked out of their homes, the relationship between landlord and tenant is certainly not one of equals.

“Section 21s are the leading cause of homelessness in the country and to see them handed out like confetti by a council-run firm on which the council leader sits as a director is shocking.

“Our city has been sold off piece by piece to the wealthy and we need to fight it tooth and nail.”

Greater Manchester Housing Action spokesman Isaac Rose told the Star: “At a time when homelessness is at an all-time high, the council shouldn’t be compounding the problem by issuing eviction notices to tenants in properties that it part-owns through Manchester Life.

“That it’s doing this in order to raise rents shows again that this city isn’t run in the interests of its people but to line the pockets of wealthy tyrants abroad. We need change now.”

The Manchester Evening News reported the council’s backing of this use of eviction notices as “legitimate” and “transparent.” The newspaper also said that Manchester Life considers the notices to give “clarity” to tenants on their “rights.”

The Star contacted Mr Leese for comment on his dual role as council leader and Manchester Life director amid the serving of eviction notices.