I am trying to figure out how a Roov would tell them they are allowed to store their items in someone else's property for free and that they have a halachic right to both not pay rent and still prevent the landlord from renting the property to someone else.
+ 1,000
Can't believe how the majority here are at the OP's throat, challenging him with regard to law & halachah, practically implying that he's the one wronging the tenants, & if he deals with this clientele he should suck it up.
Fact is, these tenants are taking advantage of him, regardless which "class" they're part of. Seems like most posters here are fine looking away at that,
but when it comes to the landlord the law & halacha are quickly invoked.
FWIW, I'm a tenant, & I'd never dream of doing something like this. And no, I don't have the perfect landlord, far from it. Still, my sense of menchlichkeit & decency dictate my actions, not "well the landlord deserves xxxx".
Stealing is stealing, regardless who the tenant is or whether the landlord has it coming to him. Period.