November 2025 exposed a troubling surge in tenant-related fraud and property damage across the United States. Landlords, especially small property owners, faced severe financial losses and legal hurdles as professional tenants exploited regulatory loopholes and emergency assistance programs. This article documents the facts, provides real case studies, and argues for urgent reforms to restore balance and fairness for landlords nationwide.
Case Study: Burlington, Massachusetts
In one of the most alarming incidents, a landlord in Burlington, MA, endured a two-year ordeal with tenants Bryan Coombes and Nicole Inserra. After moving in December 2023, the tenants stopped paying rent almost immediately. Over the next two years, they amassed over $100,000 in unpaid rent and damages. When finally evicted, the landlord discovered extensive property destruction, including trash-littered floors and structural damage. Despite 12 prior evictions, the tenants received $23,000 in taxpayer-funded rental aid before their removal. The landlord, a Syrian immigrant with limited English, was forced to borrow money to avoid foreclosure and cover legal fees, repairs, and storage costs for the tenants’ possessions.
A Pattern of Exploitation
This was not an isolated incident. Coombes’ record included 13 evictions and 10 bankruptcy filings over 20 years. Tactics included:
- Filing health complaints to delay repairs
- Refusing contractor access
- Submitting multiple appeals
- Filing bankruptcy at the last minute to stall eviction
Coombes openly admitted to using laws to his advantage, demonstrating how easily tenant-friendly regulations can be manipulated against landlords.
National Scope: Fraud and Financial Impact
Statistics from November 2025 highlight the scale of the problem:
- 93.3% of landlords reported fraud in the past year
- 70.7% saw a 40% increase in fraudulent applications
- Common scams: fake pay stubs, false employment, identity theft, and misrepresented application data
- Nearly 1 in 4 evictions involved fraudulent applications
- Average landlord losses reached $4.2 million in bad debt annually, with individual evictions costing $3,500–$10,000
- Costs are higher in states like CA and NY due to extended notice periods and slow court processes
Abuse of Emergency Rental Assistance
Emergency rental assistance programs, intended to help those in need, have become targets for fraud. In addition to the Burlington case, a Chicago fraud ring obtained over $200,000 using fake applications. These abuses divert resources from honest tenants and increase the burden on taxpayers.
Screening Failures and Solutions
The Burlington case exposed critical screening gaps:
- Failure to check for multiple prior evictions
- Inadequate employment and income verification
- Lack of thorough reference checks
Landlords should implement:
- Comprehensive background checks (including eviction records from all jurisdictions)
- Independent employment and income verification
- Reference checks with multiple previous landlords
- Watch for red flags: applicants quoting obscure statutes, offering upfront payments, or pressuring for quick approval
Legal and Policy Recommendations
Current laws in some states make it extremely difficult for landlords to protect their property and income. Reforms needed include:
- Streamlined eviction processes for non-payment
- Stronger fraud prevention in assistance programs
- Universal access to eviction and fraud records
- Legal fee recovery for landlords in clear fraud or non-payment cases
Conclusion: The Need for Balanced Reform
Tenant horror stories from November 2025 underline a systemic issue that threatens the viability of the rental housing market. Without meaningful reform, both landlords and legitimate tenants will continue to suffer. The American Association of Landlords (AAOL) calls for balanced regulations that protect property owners’ rights while ensuring fair treatment for all parties. Only with stronger protections and accountability can the rental market remain a sustainable investment and a source of safe, quality housing.
