Tenants at the Buena Vista Apartments have been on a rent strike since May 2020. When speculators showed interest in redeveloping their building, they began using the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act to try and purchase it themselves.

The city plans to cover 80% of a tenant’s rent arrears, up to $2,000 a month, if the landlord forgives the remaining 20%.

The legal risks may outweigh the benefits, experts say.