TENANTS protested in Manchester today against a “rogue landlord” who they claim attempted an illegal eviction.

About 15 protesters belonging to Acorn tenants’ union protested outside Mustafa and Co Property Management in Levenshulme, South Manchester, to press the letting agency to drop a landlord from its register.

The Morning Star understands that the police were called to keep the peace when the landlord attempted to illegally evict a member in July 2019.

A source claimed police at the time were concerned that the incident would “impact on the career” of the landlord, a medical professional who holds an honorary position at a local higher education institution.

The situation was resolved after the tenant was allowed back into their residence, providing they did not take any further action.

But the tenant returned from visiting their parents over the Christmas period to find that the locks had been changed, sparking today’s demonstration.

Several local residents joined the demonstrators, while another pensioner shouted from the opposite side of the road: “Good on you, this lot are bastards.”

Less than 20 minutes into the demonstration, representatives of Mustafa and Co management agreed to negotiations with Acorn members.

Acorn told the Star that Mustafa and Co accepted their demands to allow the tenant back into their house, and received a written agreement from the company that they would drop the landlord from its register.

When Acorn members went back to the house, they discovered that the tenant’s laptop and other items were missing from the house.

The Morning Star understands that the tenant is considering his current legal options about their missing property.

Manchester Acorn organiser Kat Wright told the Morning Star: “Today was a statement of intent. For too long, private renting has been a ‘wild west’ of rogue landlords and dodgy estate agents.

“2020 is the year we take what’s ours. No evictions on our watch.”

Mustafa and Co was not available for comment at the time of going to press.