Residents at extended-stay motel in Kissimmee forced out

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Residents at an extended-stay motel said they were given just days to leave after the owner informed them he’s closing the place.

Now, families at Knights Inn on North Poinciana Boulevard are rushing to find new homes.

Virginia Toland is one of dozens of people abruptly forced to pack up and leave.

“It was all done by word of mouth, through the grapevine,” she said.

Residents said they were never given an official notice and were told by the owner that he can no longer keep up the place or pay the bills.

“For you to come and decide in three days you want to move out, and don’t tell anybody nothing, that’s just ridiculous,” said resident Denny Evangelista.

Evangelista has six children who share two rooms at the motel.

He said he has no idea what he is going to do next for his family.

“Irresponsible. This is very irresponsible,” he said.

But it may not be illegal.

Florida state law states a tenancy may be terminated by giving not less than a seven day notice if it’s a week-to-week agreement.

If it’s a month-to-month agreement, then at least 15 days is required.

Toland has already started the search to find a new home, but it’s been tough.

“Everything is on a waiting list for me, for housing, so, I’m going from hotel to hotel,” Toland said.

Some residents said the owner gave them recommendation letters to try to make the search for a new place to live a little easier.

WFTV contacted the owner, but he did not respond.

WFTV