Chester GOP Boss Takes On Tenant Abuse

Chester GOP Boss Takes On Tenant Abuse — Tessalieni Kelley rented the second floor of a three-story home at 2220 W. Third St., Chester, Pa. in June and moved in along with his wife and one-year-old.

Kelley is Chester’s GOP chairman.

The landlord appeared to be a fellow living on the first floor. Kelly began paying him the rent, which began at $700 per month then went to a thousand when they took the entire floor.

Well, lo and behold, the guy to whom they were giving the money turned out to be a tenant.

Kelley stopped the payments.

A second man entered the scene. He claimed to be a property manager working on the behalf of the landlord.

This fellow wouldn’t take the money but told him to send it to a Zelle account of another guy.

Kelley sent $500 then started investigating.

This guy wasn’t a registered property manager.

Kelley started looking for the guy who owned the property. He came up with a name and attempted to contact him, but all efforts were rebuffed.

Kelley decided to withhold the money until it could get to the right person.

This time intimidation started in earnest. Kelley says there was rudeness from the beginning but threats started along with physical confrontations.

He has called the police several times but little could be done. Kelley says they left the apartment after his the battery from ring camera was removed.

He says he took the important stuff but possessions still remain.

Kelley notes the tenant who shared the floor when they moved in — an elderly woman — left because of intimidation.

The fellow who allowed the Kelleys to move in never asked for a lease.

Kelley says the tenants are related to Chester council woman Tameka Williams.

Kelley says he’s looking for an attorney to deal with tenant rights not just for himself but for the rest of those who pass through the place.

The house is in poor condition, Kelley says. There is mold, water leaks and raccoons living in the ceiling.