Somerville Landlord-tenant Legal Battle Goes To Trial

The lawsuit has been ongoing for 18 months.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 6:36pm

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An abstract, out-of-focus photograph depicting a dimly lit urban street scene with blurred silhouettes of pedestrians and vehicles, conveying a sense of melancholy and uncertainty about the challenges facing long-term tenants in gentrifying areas.As housing costs rise and landlords seek to maximize profits, long-term tenants face an uncertain future in gentrifying urban neighborhoods.Somerville Today

A legal battle between a resident and his landlord in Somerville, Massachusetts was put in front of a jury on Monday. Gary Rogers, a 62-year-old tenant, is facing eviction from his Union Square apartment on 22 Sargent Ave. by California-based investor Ryan Pinto, who has been trying to remove him from the premises for the past 18 months.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between landlords and tenants, especially in areas with rising housing costs. It raises questions about tenant protections, rent control policies, and the rights of property owners to set market-rate rents.

The details

Pinto and his wife first purchased the property in February of 2024 for $1.2 million. Almost immediately after acquiring the building, Pinto increased the monthly rent by $700. Rogers has since refused to pay the increased rate. Pinto filed the no-fault eviction case against Rogers in June 2024, arguing that it was necessary to set rent to the market rate due to an increase in the property's mortgage, insurance, tax, water and sewer bills. Rogers' counterargument claims that his landlord's attempt to evict him is retaliation for refusing to pay the increased rate.

  • Pinto and his wife purchased the property in February 2024.
  • Pinto increased the monthly rent by $700 immediately after acquiring the building.
  • Pinto filed the no-fault eviction case against Rogers in June 2024.
  • The legal battle has been ongoing for 18 months.

The players

Gary Rogers

A 62-year-old tenant facing eviction from his Union Square apartment in Somerville.

Ryan Pinto

A California-based investor who purchased the property at 22 Sargent Ave. in Somerville in February 2024 and has been trying to evict Rogers for the past 18 months.

Emily Mattioli and Katherine Fustich

Lawyers from the nonprofit De Novo who are representing Rogers in the case.

Jahangir Zaheer

A lawyer from the Lynnfield-based Zaheer Law Group who is representing Pinto in the case.

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What’s next

The trial is ongoing, and a jury will decide the outcome of the eviction case between Rogers and Pinto.

The takeaway

This landlord-tenant dispute in Somerville reflects the broader challenges facing renters and property owners in cities with rapidly rising housing costs. The case underscores the need for balanced policies that protect both tenants and the rights of landlords to maintain their properties.