Peabody Properties, Inc in Braintree, MA

Pros

• Ashley and Victor are doing an excellent job and keeping the building and apartments in good condition.
• The management is very respectful, cares for tenants, and listens to concerns.
• Cumberland property is described as pretty, clean, and quiet, with staff who are hardworking and welcoming.
• Chimney Hill residents praise Ashley and Victor for prompt maintenance and for keeping the apartments well cared for.
• The staff are described as super friendly, welcoming, and professional.
• Linda and Lindsey are praised for being thorough, professional, and helpful during the application and move-in process.
• The properties are lauded as beautiful buildings with caring staff, and the management is seen as taking things to the next level.

Cons

• Peabody Properties is accused of scamming low-income tenants by running a housing lottery.
• The firm is described as discriminating against disabled residents and failing to protect tenant safety.
• Management is labeled horrible, unprofessional, and unresponsive to tenant concerns.
• Maintenance issues are chronic, with elevators, boilers, and HVAC systems breaking regularly.
• Rent increases are alleged to be used to push out Section 8 tenants, with poor transparency.
• The A/P department is criticized for poor performance and mismanaging payments.
• Tenants report bullying, harassment, and a lack of empathy from staff.

Review

This portfolio of Peabody Properties communities in the Boston area is best suited for low?income seniors, disabled tenants, and families who need affordable housing and can tolerate uneven management quality from one building to the next. When a property is well managed, tenants report responsive maintenance, respectful communication, and a sense that concerns are taken seriously. When management is lax or inconsistent, however, safety concerns, disputes over accessibility, and renewal politics can dominate the living experience. For households that insist on predictable rents, transparent procedures, and consistently courteous treatment, it is prudent to consider alternatives and compare properties on a local, building?by?building basis rather than rely on a broad corporate impression.

On the upside, the strongest, most consistent positives come from on?site teams that stay engaged. In particular, residents praise dedicated managers like Ashley and Victor at Chimney Hill for keeping the building well maintained, addressing problems promptly, and treating tenants with respect. Multiple testimonials highlight quick fixes - new faucets, repaired doors, functional toilets - and a general sense that a cared?for building is possible. Tours and move?in experiences at other Peabody properties have been led by solid staff (for example Linda and Lindsey in Beverly) who explained the process, answered questions thoroughly, and made transitions smoother. When staff are present, courteous, and responsive, the living environment feels orderly and dignified.

The most troubling threads run through the negatives: inconsistent or hostile management, allegations of discrimination, slow or uneven maintenance, and recurring safety concerns. Reviews describe facilities with broken elevators, nonfunctioning boilers and HVAC systems, and dangerous repairs delayed for too long. There are persistent complaints about poor communication, lost or mishandled paperwork, and a governance tone that feels punitive rather than service?oriented. Several tenants report aggressive weathering of tensions, including disputes over accessibility, harassment by other residents, and even incidents of discrimination. The tone in these cases is not simply "rooms in need of repair" - it is an ongoing pattern that erodes trust in the housing as a stable home.

How the positives and the negatives interact boils down to property?level leadership. The pros can offset the cons when a community has a capable, accessible on?site team that prioritizes repairs, follows through on commitments, and maintains a respectful resident culture. Yet those offsets collapse when building management is disengaged, overworked, or slow to respond to safety or accessibility concerns. The contrast is stark: in places where Ashley and Victor or similarly engaged managers are visible, residents feel heard and problems are resolved. In other properties, where complaints pile up and staff turnover is high, the overall experience becomes a battle of patience, and the long?term value of affordable housing is compromised.

For families making a decision, treat property?level realities as the primary filter. Visit the site, speak with current residents, and request recent maintenance logs and a copy of the lease with any rent?adjustment provisions spelled out. Probe how ADA accessibility is handled, what constitutes a legitimate maintenance delay, and how escalations are managed when issues affect safety or daily living. Ask specifically about parking, towing policies, and any upgrades or renovations that affect habitability. If the property shows consistent, respectful management and a history of timely repairs, it can be a solid choice within its budget. If not, broaden the search to other operators with clearer track records of dependable service and resident advocacy.

In the end, Peabody Properties can deliver solid, affordable housing when a building is run well and staffed by attentive managers. It cannot be counted on as a uniformly reliable option across the portfolio, given the breadth of negative reviews about mismanagement, harassment, and maintenance delays in several properties. For families prioritizing steady maintenance and respectful treatment, the prudent move is to focus on the properties with strong on?site leadership and verifiable tenant satisfaction, while keeping a close eye on lease terms, rent trajectories, and ongoing safety commitments. The right fit exists, but only at the building level, not as a blanket recommendation for the entire company.

This part of Braintree, Massachusetts offers a variety of amenities and services that may be attractive for senior living. With several cafes, restaurants, and pharmacies within close proximity, residents have convenient access to dining options and healthcare needs. There are also transportation options such as MBTA stations nearby for easy travel around the area. In terms of healthcare, there are reputable physicians and hospitals in the vicinity, providing quality medical care. Additionally, the parks offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and leisure activities. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded environment for seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient place to call home.

Cafes

• Target T2693 Braintree (0.6 miles)
• Dunkin' Brands (5.6 miles)
• Reign Drink Lab (6.6 miles)
• Mike's Donuts (7.6 miles)
• Starbucks (8.2 miles)
• Marylou's News (8.2 miles)

Restaurants

• The Cheesecake Factory (0.7 miles)
• Widowmaker Brewing (1 miles)
• 1048 Bar and Grill (2.5 miles)
• Pho 89 (2.6 miles)
• Burger King (3.1 miles)
• McDonald's (3.1 miles)
• McDonald's (3.6 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Braintree 10 (0.8 miles)
• Showcase Cinema de Lux Randolph (4.1 miles)

Transportation

• MBTA Braintree Station (1 miles)
• MBTA Wollaston Station (3.7 miles)
• MBTA North Quincy Station (4.4 miles)
• Readville (6.1 miles)
• West Hingham Commuter RailStation (6.2 miles)
• Route 128 station (6.5 miles)
• Canton Junction Station (7.6 miles)

Physicians

• Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates (1.1 miles)
• Coffey Eye Care (2.3 miles)
• Eye Health Services (4 miles)
• Carney Hospital (5 miles)
• South Shore Orthopedics (5.7 miles)
• Angels Neurological Ce (8.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• Walgreens (2.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.3 miles)

Parks

• Braintree Highlands Community Playground (2.8 miles)
• Andrew's Park (3.4 miles)
• Houghton's Pond (3.8 miles)
• Great Esker Park (4.2 miles)
• Governor Hutchinson's Field (4.2 miles)
• Bare Cove Park (5.7 miles)
• Almont Park (5.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• First Baptist Church (3 miles)
• Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church (7.7 miles)

Hospitals

• South Shore Hospital (4.2 miles)
• South Shore Hospital (5.9 miles)
• Lemuel Shattuck Hospital (7.3 miles)
• New England Baptist Outpatient Care Center (7.8 miles)