JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Several viewers reached out to Action News Jax for help after they claimed the property management at Best Airport Inn told them to vacate immediately for falling behind on payment.
Right now, an executive order signed by the governor put a halt on evictions through May 17.
However, there is confusion if the executive order applies to hotels and motels.
Action News Jax law and safety expert Dale Carson said it boils down to whether the guest is considered transient (an ordinary hotel guest) or non-transient (tenant).
According to a Florida statute, if the individual is considered a transient, meaning the motel/hotel is not the guest’s sole residence, then the property management has the authority to kick them out immediately.
However, if they are considered a non-transient, meaning the motel/hotel is the guest’s sole residence, then the property management is required by law to file an eviction action. The next step would be serving the guest a three-day notice pay rent or vacate and identify a deadline.
To simplify, a transient could be evicted on the same day. Whereas, a non-transient would have to go through the three-day eviction process.
Action News Jax law and safety expert Dale Carson said the gray area in the enforcement involves who can determine who is transient and non-transient.