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.