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Landlord Faces Financial Crisis After Tenants Exploit Legal Loopholes

A landlord expresses worry over tenant-related financial difficulties.

News Summary

In a troubling case from Ipswich, Massachusetts, landlord Leo Behaj struggles with significant financial losses after tenants exploited legal loopholes to avoid eviction and rent payments. Over two years, Behaj faced a challenging legal battle while managing debt from two mortgages and suffering personal and family strains. The incident highlights frustrations among landlords regarding tenant rights and the complexities of housing laws in Massachusetts.

Ipswich, Massachusetts – A local landlord is facing significant financial difficulties after renting to tenants who have been described as “professional tenants” that exploited legal loopholes to prolong their tenancy without paying rent.

Leo Behaj, an immigrant from Albania, moved to Ipswich with his wife Irena 15 years ago. In 2021, the couple bought a property in Reading, Massachusetts, hoping to provide a good educational environment for their children. The property was listed for rent, and Behaj signed a lease with Bryan Coombes and Nicole Inserra due to the appeal of the local school district. However, a subsequent investigation raised suspicions regarding the legitimacy of the reference provided by the tenants.

After moving in, Coombes and Inserra halted rent payments and began filing multiple complaints about the property. This initiated a lengthy two-year legal battle for eviction in housing court. Coombes defended himself in court and utilized a range of tactics aimed at delaying the eviction process.

To manage the financial burdens of maintaining two mortgages and to prevent foreclosure, Behaj took on a second job as an Uber driver, highlighting just how strained his finances had become. He reported a loss of approximately $95,000 due to unpaid rent and mounting legal costs during the two years of battling to evict his tenants. The strain extended beyond finances, affecting family life as celebrations like birthday parties and vacations were canceled.

Court records revealed concerning information about Coombes, showing he had a history of past evictions, with a total of 12 eviction cases filed in Massachusetts over the last 20 years. Another landlord, Peter Amato, shared a similar story of dealing with Coombes and Inserra, noting that they had filed numerous complaints that led to extensive legal expenses and losses for him as well. Reports indicated that Coombes and Inserra continued to fight eviction efforts even after they relocated to another property in Burlington.

Many landlords, including Behaj, have expressed frustration with the legal system, feeling that it often favors tenants who use court delays to avoid fulfilling their rental obligations. During the Bezaj’s struggle, he also noted that the financial fallout included taxpayer costs, as the tenants received approximately $23,000 in rental assistance from the HomeBASE program during their occupancy.

A Boston housing attorney highlighted the tactics used by Coombes and Inserra, describing them as “professional tenants” adept at exploiting the loopholes in housing laws to avoid eviction. Coombes himself admitted to leveraging the law to his advantage, alleging that landlords were neglecting the maintenance of their properties.

Ultimately, to begin recovering from the financial issues caused by the drawn-out eviction process, Behaj was compelled to sell his Reading home. This sale represented a significant step in addressing his financial challenges following the difficult experience. Notably, on the day of his eviction, he received a disrespectful final message from Coombes.

This case serves as an important example of the broader challenges and complexities faced by landlords in Massachusetts, particularly in relation to tenant rights and the often lengthy and complicated eviction process. Many landlords report similar experiences of feeling overwhelmed and undermined within the legal system, underscoring the ongoing discussion about fairness and equity in housing legislation.