HAMPTON, Va. — 13News Now got a tip Thursday afternoon that led us to the Buckroe Motel in Hampton.
There were half a dozen upset guests who said they were given 24 hours to leave.
“I think people should be given more than 24 hours notice if they’ve been here for months and months and months," said Tracy Hill.
Hill said she's lived at the motel for nine months while working as the assistant manager. She said she learned Thursday she’d have to start packing.
“That basically everybody had to be out, I had to be out by tomorrow," Hill recalled. "I said, ‘I don’t get paid until the first. I have no money.’”
Hill said the motel is home to more than 10 people, including Thomas Eldrige and his 4-year-old daughter.
“If I get put out, then, I’m homeless," Eldrige said. "All my stuff is on the side of the road and I’m going to lose everything I’ve ever worked for.”
13News Now spoke to the motel owner over the phone. She said guests were informed their rent can’t be renewed due to upcoming renovations.
The owner said they’ll have to be out by their next checkout date, not necessarily tomorrow.
However, some guests say they’re under a different impression. Eldrige said he already paid for another week of stay and was told he wouldn't be given a refund.
"If they can just give me that [money] back, I'll try to figure something else out," he said. "I can't go nowhere until I get paid again."
We reached out to the City of Hampton. A city spokesperson said inspectors found violations at the motel but none serious enough to close or condemn the building.