NEW YORK, NY April 04, 2007 —Angry tenants are protesting a London-based investment group that recently bought a swath of buildings in East Harlem. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez reports.

It's the first time the British corporate giant, Dawnay Day has purchased buildings in the US. The real estate branch of the company paid more than $200 million for 47 buildings between 100th and 120th Streets. Many low income immigrant tenants live in the buildings and the group Movement for Justice says the new owners have plans to kick them out.

They point to a London Times article in which Dawnay Day director Phil Blakeley speaks of the large rent increases that are possible once a tenant vacates a rent regulated apartment. In a written statement, the company says legitimate tenants won't be displaced nor will their rents be increased beyond the legal limit.

For WNYC, I'm Cindy Rodriguez.