Two care homes have been accused of misleading residents over their reasons for closure.

Dresden House in Hove and Norman Latham House in Southwick told 79 pensioners they were being evicted because the homes could not afford to meet the standards demanded.

But the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) last night told The Argus both homes met current standards and had permission to stay open.

On Monday, West Sussex Housing Society, which runs Norman Latham House, issued a statement saying: "Norman Latham House is unable to comply with some of the standards. Many residents rooms are below the minimum size laid down within the Care Standards Act."

But the CSCI said: "Homes registered before the standards came into operation about four years ago are not required to increase the size of their rooms."

The commission said it had no problem with Norman Latham House and had given it a clean bill of health in an annual inspection report carried out in October 2005.

On January 11, Helen Fairfax, chairman of Dresden Homes Trust, said in a statement announcing the closure of Dresden House: "The trustees decided it would be irresponsible to continue investing money into the fabric of the buildings when they would never be fit for purpose or comply with the care standards."

But the most recent inspection by the CSCI gave Dresden House a clean bill of health. The CSCI has confirmed it has never told the trust the home was failing.

The CSCI said: "The commission has put no demands on Dresden House or Norman Latham House to make major structural improvements."

Hove MP Celia Barlow and Shoreham and East Worthing MP Tim Loughton, expressed surprise that standards were cited as reasons for closure.

Mrs Barlow said: "One year ago trustees had assured residents the home was safe for another ten years. I would urge a moratorium for the trust to consider very carefully the basis and implications of its decision."

Dresden House, run by a charitable trust, is worth an estimated £7 million. Norman Latham House is valued at about £5 million and will both be sold off to developers.

Tony Matthews, from Norman Latham House, said it could not comply with the Care Standards Act and denied any other motives were behind the closure.

Dresden Homes Trust was unavailable for comment.