ATLANTA (AP) – People who rely on motels for long-term housing in Georgia will have greater protection against forced removal under a state appeals court ruling, an attorney said.
The Second Division of the Court of Appeals of Georgia ruled that an extended stay motel outside Atlanta could not kick two residents out without filing formal eviction cases in court.
The motel – Efficiency Lodge – had argued the residents were guests who could be removed summarily.
The second division disagreed, noting in a decision on Monday that one of the residents – Armetrius Neason – had lived at the lodge for more than five years. Both of the residents had, additionally, put personal belongings in their rooms and said they didn’t receive housekeeping or linen service, according to the court.
“None of these facts are consistent with the idea that Efficiency Lodge treated the plaintiffs as the transient guests of a hotel as such is understood by a reasonably common person,” the court said.