Patriot Property Management Group buys condo in West Springfield, rents hiking

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Patriot Property Management Group purchased an apartment building in West Springfield earlier this spring and sent letters to tenants that rents would increase.

On March 12, the property owner purchased the Deville Apartments on Elm Street through one of its subsidiaries for $8.5 million, according to the Hampden County Register of Deeds. The building previously belonged to an independent owner, Joseph Boudreau.

One tenant, who asked not to be named to protect her relationship with her new landlord, said she received a letter saying her rent would increase from $900 to $1,425, nearly 60 percent more.

In the decade the tenant has lived at the West Springfield apartment complex, she said her rent has never gone up more than $50 to $100 a year.

“During the time I spoke to the management team on the phone, they threatened to evict me or told me to leave if I didn’t like the increase,” she said.

The tenant lives in a two-bedroom apartment with her daughter and her fiance. She also said she has struggled with water problems in her apartment for many years – especially in her daughter’s room and the living room.

“We have contacted Patriot Property so many times to have them check, but no one has come yet,” she said.

Patriot Property did not respond to Republican inquiries for comment on the reason for the rent increase.

The subsidiary that purchased the Deville Apartments, School Holdings LLC, also purchased 41-49 School St. of Springfield, which was formerly owned by Springfield Gardens. According to the Secretary of State, Donna L. Wexler, a shareholder in the law firm Springfield Bacon Wilson, is the manager of the subsidiary.

Patriot Property Management Group has purchased several former apartments in Springfield Gardens and raised rents, leaving tenants scrambling to stay. In March, the company — run by two West Springfield realtors, Jordan Healy and Marc Murphy — acquired another apartment in Springfield on Central Street through another subsidiary.

Tenants there say Patriot Property Management Group raised rent by 25 percent to 50 percent and ordered eviction notices.

Last fall, the company also acquired buildings on Mattoon, Federal, Pearl and State streets, Leyfred Terrace and Belmont Avenue.