In a significant move to protect tenants' rights, the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office has initiated legal action against The BoaVida Group, a California-based firm that's been accused of unfair rent hikes at Willow Terrace Mobile Home Park in Taunton. The move comes in the wake of increasing complaints from residents about the steep and possibly retaliatory increases in their living costs.
The AG's lawsuit, which marks a challenge against the investment firm operating over 250 manufactured housing communities across the nation, asserts that since BoaVida's acquisition of the community in 2022, they've unjustly ramped up rents multiple times—from a monthly rate of $302 to a steep $535. This is in violation of the Manufactured Housing Act which mandates the offer of five-year leases to ensure rent stability, according to the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office.
It was in March 2025 that residents brought their grievances to the state AGO, leading to an initial investigation and a subsequent reduction of rents by BoaVida. Nevertheless, merely a month post this conciliation, residents were blindsided by terminated tenancies and new leases featuring rent prices leaping to $703 a month starting October 1. "The last thing they need is community owners violating their rights and our state laws by raising rents as a form of retaliation," AG Campbell stated, expressing solidarity with the affected residents.
This litigation by the AG's office underscores a larger commitment to accessible and affordable housing, underscored only last month with a consequential settlement with Schweb Partners, LLC, addressing the maintenance of habitable conditions for tenants. The AG's plea includes an injunction to enforce compliance with the Manufactured Housing Act besides seeking restitution and civil penalties. The team leading the charge comprises Assistant Attorneys General and Paralegals from the Consumer Protection Division, bolstered by support from the Fair Labor Division and Civil Investigators. For those experiencing unfair treatment at the hands of landlords or community owners, an online complaint channel is open at the AGO's official website.
