SPOA is looking for horror stories involving "tenants from hell."

You do not have to reveal your name nor your tenant's name.

We are most interested in stories where tenants withhold rent for code violations, obstruct repairs, and sometimes even damage their apartments deliberately, all in an effort to block their eviction while living rent-free. We are also interested in stories of unreasonable decisions by judges.

The events should have taken place in the last few years and preferably recently. The events can have taken place anywhere in Massachusetts. We also would prefer to have some documentation, such as a copy of an inspection report or a letter from a tenant demanding repairs or photos or a judge's decision order.

SPOA would write up your story and print it in our monthly newsletter, which goes to our large membership and to all state legislators as well as to city councilors in Boston, Cambridge and Somerville. Some media people also get a copy of our newsletter. We might also post your story on this website. Your name and the name of your tenant(s) would not be printed in the story.

The goal is to make the public and our state legislators aware of the "free rent trick" and other shenanigans that tenants play that harm landlords and threaten their rental housing business. Ultimately, the goal is to get a rent escrow law passed for Massachusetts, so that the "free rent trick" can no longer be played.

To tell us your story:

Email: skore@comcast.net

Regular mail:
SPOA
P.O. Box 398115
Cambridge, MA 02139

By phone: 617-354-2358