New London tenants form union to fight Alpha Capital eviction notices

NEW LONDON, Conn. (WFSB) - Tenants across five apartment buildings recently purchased by Alpha Capital have formed a union to fight eviction notices and demand meetings about property conditions and fair lease renewals.

Michael Duffy came home to a notice to quit on his Redden Avenue apartment door last month, essentially telling him to move out.

“I started freaking out. I’ve lived here for eight years, and this is what I know as home,” Duffy said.

Duffy is among renters in buildings recently bought by Alpha Capital and owner Tyler Smith. The company has taken over 61 homes in New London and issued 14 notices to quit, according to the union.

“Tyler Smith and others like him have come in to these neighborhoods, bought up units, which are actually our homes, and decided they are just dollar signs for more and more and more profit,” said Hannah Srajer of the Connecticut Tenants Union.

The New London renters have joined forces with a tenants union in nearby Niantic, which formed recently when their building was also bought by Alpha.

“They wanted to raise our rents $800–$900 a month, and that is just outrageous,” said Judy Plouffe, a tenant at Bay Point Apartments in Niantic.

Leticia Taylor was also issued a notice to quit.

“It was an eyeopener to know that my stability was taken away at that moment, that quickly,” Taylor said.

The tenants are demanding notices to quit be rescinded and want a meeting about property upkeep and keeping lease renewals fair.

“We want to sit down with Tyler Smith and come to some type of an agreement on leases, decent rent, and get stuff around the apartment buildings fixed,” Duffy said.

Alpha Capital said it does not recognize or engage with any tenant group as a formal bargaining representative. The company said it is not planning to hold a formal meeting but remains committed to maintaining lawful, respectful and transparent communication with all residents through proper channels.

The mayor’s office said it is having “frank discussions” with Tyler Smith and Alpha Capital.