Elderly Boston Homeowner Battles 'Tenant from Hell' for Over a Year

After a lengthy legal battle, 76-year-old Janette Jackson finally regains control of her Dorchester home from a problematic tenant.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 2:12am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a broken window frame, shattered glass, and damaged window sill, captured with a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the challenges faced by an elderly homeowner dealing with a problematic tenant.A shattered window frame symbolizes the damage and disruption caused by a problematic tenant, exposing the vulnerabilities of elderly homeowners.Boston Today

Janette Jackson, a 76-year-old Boston homeowner, endured a harrowing ordeal with a troublesome tenant named Kenyatta Saunders who refused to pay rent, complained about living conditions, and allegedly confronted Jackson in her own home. Despite numerous trips to housing court and an extensive history of eviction cases against Saunders, it took over a year for Jackson to finally regain control of her property.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges elderly homeowners can face when dealing with problematic tenants who exploit the legal system. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of rental assistance programs and the need for reforms to better protect landlords from serial non-payers.

The details

Saunders moved into Jackson's Dorchester property in 2024 as part of a state rental assistance program, but immediately began complaining about the living conditions and refusing to pay rent. Despite Jackson obtaining a restraining order against Saunders, the eviction process dragged on for over a year due to Saunders' tactics, including last-minute appeals and accusations of landlord harassment. Housing court records show a pattern of similar behavior from Saunders in previous eviction cases across Boston.

  • In December 2024, Saunders moved into Jackson's property.
  • In February 2025, Jackson began pursuing an eviction against Saunders.
  • In May 2025, Jackson thought she had overcome the legal hurdles to get an eviction, but Saunders filed a last-minute motion to delay the proceedings.
  • In November 2025, the NBC10 Investigators first spoke with Jackson about her ordeal.
  • In March 2026, the moving truck arrived to remove Saunders and her belongings from Jackson's home.

The players

Janette Jackson

A 76-year-old Boston homeowner who owns the property in Dorchester where Kenyatta Saunders was a problematic tenant.

Kenyatta Saunders

A tenant who moved into Jackson's Dorchester property in 2024 and refused to pay rent, complained about living conditions, and allegedly confronted Jackson in her own home, leading to a lengthy legal battle to evict her.

Ananda Saunders

Kenyatta Saunders' adult daughter, who was not listed on the lease but was involved in the eviction case.

Mark Weisberg

A Boston constable who has been involved in previous evictions of Kenyatta Saunders and believes she will find a way to get into another unit and repeat the cycle.

Stu Schrier

A Boston attorney with over 40 years of experience who has been involved in at least 8,000 evictions, including three cases involving Kenyatta Saunders, whom he describes as a "serial non-payer" and "serial abuser of the system."

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What they’re saying

“It was excruciating. She made my life hell.”

— Former Landlord

“She's a serial non-payer. She's a serial abuser of the system.”

— Stu Schrier, Boston Attorney

“I can't take it. I need this lady to go. I need her to get out of my house. Oh God, nobody knows my pain.”

— Janette Jackson, Homeowner

“There are a lot of days when I don't want to get up. There are a lot of days I don't want to get out of my bed because this is not a life to live.”

— Kenyatta Saunders, Tenant

“I guarantee you she will find a way to get into another unit. And when she does, she knows it will take quite a while to get her out.”

— Mark Weisberg, Boston Constable

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Kenyatta Saunders to appeal the eviction order.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges elderly homeowners can face when dealing with problematic tenants who exploit the legal system, as well as the need for reforms to better protect landlords from serial non-payers. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of rental assistance programs in ensuring housing stability.