Couple sues over Seabrook property

A couple is suing a man, complaining that he refused to convey a Seabrook property that they leased for one year.

Plaintiffs Arthur and Judith Bownes filed the lawsuit in Harris County on Dec. 28, alleging that defendant Edward Mercado leased the Seabrook residence to the couple and refused to convey the property so the couple could purchase it later.

The plaintiffs make the following claims in the brief: On or about Dec. 3, 2007, the couple entered into a one-year residential lease with Mercado. The lease was amended to extend the term and to grant the plaintiffs an option to purchase the property at any time during the term. They timely exercised the option prior to the expiration of the option period and were ready to purchase the property. The defendant refused to convey the property so the plaintiffs could purchase it.

The couple is seeking damages from breach of contract, performance of the contractual obligations, attorney’s fees, pre- and post-judgment interest and all other relief to which the couple is entitled, at law or in equity.

The plaintiffs are represented by Houston Attorney Aaron G. Ries of the Law Firm Fridge, Resendez and Wise LLC.

Harris County District Court Case No. 2010-83476.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at the Harris County Courthouse. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by plaintiffs. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.