Houston Texas is Exploding with Short Term Rentals Problems!

Houston, we have a problem! The trend of turning condos and apartments in Houston is causing massive problems for residents. 

According to KHOU 11, one particular complex, Westhaven Estates, has apartments rented for short-term stays that become drug and sex-fueled parties that last all night long for days; most start on Thursday nights and Last until Monday mornings.

The residents have had instances where people have been seen having sex on balconies, and not just in the middle of the night, but as early as 8:30 AM, a time when the acts can be seen by elementary school children being dropped off for school. 

Recently, gunshots were heard, and a security camera showed a man walking into the complex with something behind his back, suspected to be a gun.

The residents claim to be getting no help from authorities or police. "We have been begging, screaming, and praying for help, and we have received almost nothing." said one resident.

It got so bad that several residents attended a City Council meeting last week. Houston Mayor John Whitmire was implored to help them by restricting short-term rentals in apartment communities.

The Office of the Mayor released this statement,

“Like every other issue Mayor Whitmire’s administration is hearing about from residents, we are in the process of gathering public input, data and facts on how to move forward with addressing concerns about short term rentals. As the mayor mentioned during city council public session, Texas is a strong property rights state. You may recall that a federal court last year struck down Austin’s short-term rental rules as unconstitutional. The City of Houston plans to make an informed decision before deciding how to move forward.”

The residents are hoping they will soon be getting the help they need.