Easthampton tenants speak out against rent increases

EASTHAMPTON — The battle against rising rents for the residents of Pleasant View Apartments in Easthampton continues as they demanded fair treatment from out-of-town property owners, Rowin Capital, at a press conference Saturday.

The sudden rise in rent came after the 33-unit apartment complex was sold to the New York City-based private investment firm last fall. Residents said they were notified of rising rents upon coming home to notices taped to their doors from the new management company, A Better Way, out of Three Rivers.

The community of residents, many long-term renters who were on month-to-month leases, is made up of public servants such as mail carriers and firefighters and teachers, as well as many elderly residents who are on Social Security with limited income and veterans.

The initial notice gave a 10-day window for residents to sign the new terms, which subjected them to a 34.7% increase in rent.

Kate Zanetta is a teacher in Amherst who has lived in the complex with her daughter for the past six years. She said her rent was initially $1,150, but it was then raised to $1,550, or she would have to pay $1,750 if she didn’t sign the new terms and face eviction. As a single mother tied to the Easthampton community, Zanetta felt like she didn’t have a choice, given the small window of time to find a new apartment, so she signed.

Zanetta said that, as a teacher, she can’t “just work more hours” to make up the difference.

“It’s like quicksand,” said Zanetta. “I was stable, now I no longer have that stability. When my lease is up, I don’t doubt my rent will increase and I won’t be in any position to move.”

In March, the owners of Rowin Capital, Daniel and Joseph Scherban, sent a letter to the residents in an effort to remedy the situation at the complex. They noted the number of long-term renters in the complex and offered a $100 rent reduction for those who signed on for $1,550.

At the time, Joseph Scherban wrote in an email to the Republican: “Our property recently was in the media for a rental increase and new leases that caused concern among our tenants and was communicated in a way that was regrettable and not reflective of our standards.”

Rowin Capital did not respond to an email seeking comment on Saturday.

But residents said Saturday said they are distrustful of the owners’ intentions.

Residents argue that the management of the complex has gone down since the change in ownership, with poor snow removal over the winter, resulting in multiple falls and a recent flooding in one of the buildings, which resulted in a mold issue.

Noticing a Zillow ad for their apartments at $2,295, they ask what improvements have been made to result in the price increase. The residents also report that poor communication with the management company, reporting “bully tactics” being used.

“If these were people living in my community, I don’t think this would be happening the same way,” said Zanetta.

Nancy Dorian, an artist and driver for Valley Transport, has lived in the complex for 2.5 years and spoke on behalf of residents who were “too intimidated to fight for themselves or they don’t want any pushback from speaking up.”

Dorian said that her rent was raised $400 and noted that multiple octogenarians in the complex experienced $500 increases. “I came to this as one of the last affordable places in the area,” said Dorian. “I can’t afford to live here anymore.”

Mona Shadi attended the press conference to show support as she also faces a hike in rent in her complex. She shared similar feelings to Dorian, that Easthampton is getting priced out for its local community members.

Zanetta said that there are three outcomes they would like to see happen from today’s press conference.

The residents would like rents to be reduced to $1,200 a month for legacy tenants and individuals who were at the complex before it was sold. They also seek no further increases to be made that are more than 3% annually for the next four years for the entirety of the complex, so no one is suddenly destabilized. And they would like to remove the property management company, which they believe to be openly combative with tenants. They also cite concern over a lawsuit against one of the co-owners of the property management group from another complex, for predatory behavior toward a female resident at that complex.

The residents are getting support and advice from Springfield nonprofit, No One Leaves, which helped organize the event.

Tim Benoit, the resource development director of No One Leaves, said that the organization’s aim is to get property owners to see their tenants as more than “just a number on a spreadsheet,” and to get them to sit down and negotiate fair leases.