Residents in York said they were "shocked" to be handed eviction notices.

Six residents of Beech Avenue, in Holgate, were first handed section 21 notices in June. However, they were initially submitted incorrectly, and then reissued.

A section 21 notice allows a landlord to regain possession of their property from the tenant. All the residents in Beech Avenue will now have to leave their homes by August 28.

"I was just shocked, so many people have been here for 20 plus years, especially some of the elderly residents," said one resident, Nicola Donnelly.

"This is a street where everybody helps each other.

"How could you do this to people who have lived here for so long."

The landlords - Sterling Tide Ltd - responded.

Kimberley Spratt, of Sterling Tide, said: "Unfortunately at present, our mortgage is higher than the rents being received so we have had to serve six section 21 notices.

"Two tenants have chosen to leave early and have already vacated finding alternative accommodation so there are four tenants being asked to leave.

"The tenants have also had an additional month to prepare for their move."

Nicola said that she and fellow residents had "accepted" the situation, as they felt their was no way to change the outcome.

"At first we were told the flats were going to be done up and sold on - we sort of thought fair enough - but we’ve since found out they’re just going to be flipped to student flats," she added.

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Having lived in York for 25 years - Nicola, an office manager, says she has now been priced out of the city.

"I can’t really afford to rent in York anymore on my own, so I may need the council to help me.

"I get that it’s a business but it's horrible."

Ms Spratt recognised the price challenges in York.

She said: "Unfortunately the cost of living crisis is very difficult for everyone at present. I appreciate how difficult it must be for the existing tenants to uproot their lives including their schools, family, communities and more. 

"The tenants have gained the benefit of the low rents for some time; we have offered some tenants the option to pay market rent, however unfortunately that is unaffordable. 

"We are refurbishing the properties to a high standard and letting to a combination of students and young professionals as well as considering selling some. 

"I am confident the council will support the four tenants in finding suitable alternative accommodation as a matter of priority and urgency."

The flats will now undergo a full refurbishment, for the first time in "over two decades", as Stirling Tide prepares to find new tenants, the landlord said.