An estate agent has removed its listing for a property on the Butterfields estate after protests from tenants threatened by eviction.

Foxtons announced it was “withdrawing its services” marketing a flat on the Walthamstow estate, which was operated by a housing association before a controversial buyout last year.

Tenants have been served eviction notices by new owners, Butterfields E17, who plan to sell the homes to private buyers.

A Foxtons spokesman said: “Having learnt of the residents’ concern, we have decided to withdraw our services on this occasion.

“Looking after the communities we operate in is an integral part of our company ethos.

“Since opening our office in Walthamstow last year, we have built a dedicated, hard-working team of eight people, most of whom were recruited and live locally.

“We look forward to continuing to create a positive impact within the local community.”

Homes at the estate were rented by Glasspool Charity Trust at affordable prices they were purchased by Butterfields E17.

The company, owned by Chigwell-based developers Jasbir Singh Jhumat and Pardeep Singh Jhumat, served eviction notices on some of the 63 tenants, many of whom live on low incomes or benefits.

Several homes on the estate were then listed on the Savills auction list at the Marriott Hotel in Grosvenor Square, eventually selling for more than £300,000 each.

In April, Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy revealed landlords were in talks to sell the homes to Dolphin Square, a charity which provides affordable homes for working Londoners.

The foundation purchased the New Era estate in Hackney in December 2014, after previous owners, Westbrook Partners, announced plans to quadruple its tenants’ rent.

However, talks between Dolphin and Butterfields E17 have reportedly stalled.

A handful of tenants have decided to leave the estate. However, the majority have decided to remain and fight eviction through legal channels.

Shahzeb Iqbal, chairman of the Butterfields Tenants’ and Residents’ Association, said: “I was surprised to hear about Foxtons but of course it is very good news.

“Anything will help us at this stage and it helps when anyone shows respect for the situation we are in.”

Campaigners from the Butterfields Won’t Budge group canvassed estate agents in Walthamstow on Saturday (August 20), urging them not to list properties on the estate for sale.

A letter delivered to agents branded tenants’ situation “terrible” and asked firms did not assist in breaking up the community.