Dallas County Judge Orders Hillcrest Apartments In Mesquite To Pay For Hotels For Residents Without Heat Or Water

MESQUITE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - A Dallas County judge has ordered a Mesquite apartment complex to provide hotel rooms to residents who need them after months of ongoing heating, air conditioning, and plumbing problems.

The City of Mesquite sued Hillcrest Apartments last month after residents faced widespread heat outages for years. A Mesquite spokesperson said the city had been trying for a long time to get the complex to improve its living conditions and reduce criminal activity to no avail.

Residents of the complex said that for years, the apartments frequently lacked heating during winter, air conditioning during summer, hot water year-round, and had numerous other safety issues.

The judge's order, which was issued on March 11, orders the owners of Hillcrest to pay for hotels for their residents until they make improvements to the health and safety conditions in their apartments - including restoring heat, AC, and water.

The City of Mesquite  said it "is pleased with the result of today's hearing that provides greater relief for residents of Hillcrest Apartments."

Another hearing will be held in on April 1.