A couple with twins are to be made homeless by Oxford University's wealthiest college, writes Mark Templeton.

Sarah and Craig Harris and their three-year-old boys have been told to leave their home in Abbey Place, Oxford, by their landlord, Christ Church.

Other residents in Christ Church properties have also been warned their tenancy agreements may not be renewed.

Christ Church wants to sell some of its 119 properties, formerly rented to college staff, in Abbey Road, Cripley Road, Mill Street and Barrett Street. Mr and Mrs Harris said they would have to register as homeless after the college served an eviction notice that comes into effect in October.

Mrs Harris, 32, said they had lived in the 430-a-month, three-bedroom property for six years.

She said: "We can't believe they did this to us out of the blue. They just want to sell their properties and they don't care who they hurt in the process.

"We have three-year-old twins and in October we will be homeless and probably living in a bed-and-breakfast. "I don't know why such a rich college is so keen to make money from the sale of property."

The college's international property consultant, FPD Savills of Oxford, has written to a further three homes, warning householders they may have to leave.

The letter said: "More often than not in recent years the approach taken by your landlord has been to renew assured shorthold tenancies such as yours when they expire.

"This has been reviewed and now, in certain circumstances, the landlord is selling properties when they become vacant. "It was felt particularly important to give you plenty of warning so that you could consider in good time the implications should your tenancy agreement not be renewed."

It said the letter was not a formal notice, but advance information of Christ Church's possible decision.

One Abbey Road resident, a 34-year-old mother who did not want to be named, said: "I've asked the college where I stood, but the only answer I've had is, 'You'll have to wait and see'. I can't believe they would treat people like this." Christ Church is one of Oxford's wealthiest, largest and most well-known colleges. Former students include 13 British prime ministers and scientist Albert Einstein.

Treasurer Hugh Richardson said: "We are only saying tenancies may not be renewed and are simply giving a lot of advance warning. It is standard practice."

Oxford city councillor Susanna Pressel has taken up the residents' cause and formed an action group to fight any attempts to move people out of their homes.

"The college can't be allowed to get away with this," she said.