Massachusetts Landlord Faces $100K Loss Due to Tenants

News Summary

A landlord in Reading, Massachusetts, suffers a nearly $100,000 financial loss due to tenants with a history of scamming property owners. Leo Behaj, who rented his property to Bryan Coombes and Nicole Inserra, faced challenges as the tenants withheld rent and manipulated eviction processes. Despite receiving rental assistance, they filed multiple bankruptcies, prompting other landlords to share similar experiences. This case emphasizes the increasing struggles landlords face in navigating tenant rights and eviction laws in Massachusetts.

Reading, Massachusetts – A landlord in Massachusetts suffered significant financial losses, nearly reaching $100,000, allegedly due to disruptive tenants who have a lengthy history of scamming property owners. Leo Behaj, the landlord, and his wife originally purchased their second home in Reading with plans to occupy it when their children entered high school.

They decided to rent the property in 2021 to Bryan Coombes and Nicole Inserra, who expressed their desire to remain in a desirable school district for their children. However, shortly after moving in, the tenants began withholding rent payments and raised multiple complaints regarding repairs that were reportedly not substantiated.

Behaj soon discovered that Coombes and Inserra were not ordinary tenants. The couple has been associated with over 12 eviction cases in Massachusetts over the past 20 years, showcasing a troubling history of exploiting the rental system. Behaj referred to them as “professionals” skilled in manipulating the legal system and adept at using delay tactics to prolong eviction proceedings. During the two-year legal battle that ensued, Coombes represented himself in court, employing strategies that postponed Behaj’s attempts to regain possession of his property.

As a first-time landlord who emigrated from Albania in 2010, Behaj faced enormous challenges as he was forced to take up a second job driving for Uber to cover mortgage payments on both his properties while dealing with the noncompliant tenants. During the ordeal, he incurred about $95,000 in lost rental income and legal fees.

Coombes and Inserra’s strategy included filing for bankruptcy five times together, with a total of nine combined cases. All of these cases were dismissed due to the failure to file necessary documentation. Throughout the period of their lease, the couple reportedly received over $13,000 in rental assistance.

Information obtained from previous landlords revealed a pattern of financial devastation caused by Coombes and Inserra. One of these landlords, Peter Amato, indicated that he paid a substantial sum of $20,000 to have the couple vacate his property. Furthermore, the couple’s current landlord in Burlington has reported financial losses nearing $100,000 while seeking to evict them, having to borrow money from friends and family to stabilize his situation.

Recent surveys indicate that over 58.5% of landlords experienced increased rates of rent nonpayment attributed to fraudulent activities in the past year. “Professional tenants,” such as Coombes and Inserra, often exploit loopholes in housing and bankruptcy laws, resulting in severe financial consequences for landlords. A bankruptcy attorney noted that the filings made by the couple appeared to be tactical moves intended to gain extra time rather than legitimate attempts to address their financial troubles.

In a bid to recover from his financial setback, Behaj made the difficult decision to sell his Reading property, ultimately forfeiting his initial investment. Coombes has since denied the characterization of being a professional tenant, arguing that he merely utilizes legal avenues when landlords fail to perform necessary repairs.

The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by landlords in Massachusetts, as they navigate the increasingly complicated landscape of tenant rights and eviction processes. A proactive approach is needed in addressing these issues and protecting landlords from financial exploitation by individuals adept in manipulating housing regulations.

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