Nine New Galloway residents face being made homeless after they were given notice to quit by their landlord.
Tenants of Major General James Gordon were told by letting agents that they had to leave.
Five households at Kenmure Steadings, a converted stable block, are affected.
One resident said they had been left “dumbstruck” at being told their tenancies were being ended.
Maj Gen Gordon blamed required upgrades and property management difficulties for the “sad” decision.
The tenant, who asked not to be named, said: “People had a phone call from the letting agents on Friday the 13th.
“We were told the owner could no longer manage the upkeep of the properties and was selling them.
“A lot of improvements have already been done at the tenants’ expense. We were all absolutely dumbstruck.”
The tenant added: “We are in the middle of a housing crisis – where is everybody supposed to go?
“There are five households affected here. It’s an entire community being displaced.
“The majority are tenants of very long-standing and have been here well over ten years.”
Maj Gen Gordon confirmed: “I’m going to be selling the properties. It’s a decision I have been wrestling with and one I have not taken lightly.
“It is something I would certainly have wished not to have done because I quite understand the impact on the tenants who live there.
“Some have been there for a long time and I realise it’s their home.”
Maj Gen Gordon CB CBE, who had a stellar army career and is chief executive of the Council of Reserve Forces and Cadets Associations, added: “I am finding management of the Steadings difficult. I feel I’m not doing a satisfactory job.
“Also the raft of legislation and standards the Scottish Government has brought in means it is becoming too difficult and expensive for me to provide the standard of accommodation as required by the law.
“Looking at the future the financial risk is going to be too much of a burden for me. It’s a sad decision.”
Dee and Glenkens councillor Dougie Campbell has alerted council support services to the situation.
He said: “I was very alarmed when I learned that residents from the five homes at the Steadings in New Galloway had been told without prior warning during a phone call from the landlord’s agents that they were being served with notice to quit their tenancy.
“I immediately made contact with a representative of the residents and also the council’s homeless services team who will provide support and guidance on their rights as private let tenants, in response to what must be an extremely worrying situation for them.”
Member Lois Aitkenhead said: “The community council held the meeting due to understandable concerns throughout the community. We have requested a meeting with the landlord to discuss the matter.”
