HOUSTON – Long-term residents at the Executive Inn and Suites on Airport Boulevard in Houston say they were told to leave with little to no notice, raising concerns about whether the landlord followed Texas eviction laws.
Several families said they never received written eviction notices on their doors before being instructed to move out. Amanda Ceballos, who lived and worked at the property for three years, told KPRC 2 she only learned about the move-out deadline after a coworker called her on her day off.
“They had her call me and break the news to me,” Ceballos said.
Residents report the owner has given shifting explanations for the eviction. Initially, the landlord claimed the property was sold, then said notices were posted, and now blames a foreclosure. Many tenants doubt these explanations due to the lack of documentation and the sudden demand to leave.
Dana Karni, an attorney with Lone Star Legal Aid, explained that many long-term hotel residents may legally qualify as tenants under Texas law.
“If someone has been there more than 30 days, they may rise to the level of a tenant,” Karni said.
Karni added that landlords cannot remove tenants without following the required legal process, which includes providing a written notice to vacate, obtaining a court judgment, and securing a writ of possession.
She also emphasized that even if a property is facing foreclosure, the current owner cannot evict tenants. Any eviction would have to be handled legally by the new owner.
Residents say dozens of families lived at the inn long-term, and some remain unsure where they will go next.
How tenants can get help
Lone Star Legal Aid offers free legal assistance to eligible residents facing improper evictions. Tenants can contact the nonprofit through the intake portal on its official website or by calling the main public hotline listed online at lonestarlegal.org.
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