Eviction threats in benefits row

Tens of thousands of migrants have passed through Dover

Landlords planning to evict asylum seeker families after a benefits row have been told they are obliged to give notice to their tenants.

Support workers say families in Kent have been told they will be evicted on the spot on Saturday as the EU expands.

It follows a benefits row where asylum seekers had been told they would lose rights to benefits on 1 May.

The Home Office now says benefits paid to people from EU accession countries will not stop until cases are reviewed.

Tenants' rights

But Jill Casebourne, from the Kent Refugee Action Network, said: "We know for a fact that at least one landlord has threatened to evict them on the spot on Saturday and actually to change the locks.

"Now that is actually illegal - they are not able to do that.

"They are bound to give tenants two months' notice of eviction.

"We have at least been able to make sure that the tenants know that and that they understand their rights."

About 300 families in the county had been sent letters from Kent County Council saying their benefits were due to end on 1 May.

The authority had proposed transitional arrangements which the government rejected.

Now the Home Office has said they will not lose their right to benefits and housing immediately.

Campaigners had warned the new rules would have left hundreds homeless.