Vote On Houston Registry Of Problem Apartments Delayed Again

The Houston Apartment Association pushed back against a proposed city program that would have publicly named problem apartments, and a vote on the proposal has been delayed.

Houston City Council voted 9-7 on Wednesday to delay consideration of an ordinance that would have created a public city registry of high-risk rental buildings based on the volume of 311 complaints and habitability-related citations, Houston Public Media reported.

HAA officials at the council meeting said they were concerned the proposed rules could be inequitable because the ordinance would treat apartments all the same regardless of their size. They also said they worried enforcement could be too broad, Houston Chronicle reported.

The proposal sought to add the top five multifamily complexes with 10 or more habitability complaints through 311 within the last half year to an online database of dangerous apartments. Also, all apartments with 10 or more habitability complaints through 311 within the last six months would have been subject to additional inspections and faced misdemeanor fines.

The proposal was a scaled-down version of one introduced in May that sought to add every multifamily complex with 10 or more habitability complaints through 311 within a year to an online database of dangerous apartments. Those apartments also would have faced additional inspections and fines. 

Habitability complaints can include electrical, structural and plumbing issues. The city already has a habitability inspection process in place for all multifamily properties with three or more units.

HAA CEO Casey Morgan said the association was concerned the process to pass this ordinance was too rushed. In addition, the city attorney raised concerns about the lack of an appeal mechanism, which could hinder enforceability.

Mayor John Whitmire said there is a challenge in creating a program that’s tough enough and actually enforceable.

Tenant advocacy groups, on the other hand, argued the proposed measure is not strong enough. 

Councilwoman Letitia Plummer, who has worked on the ordinance for four years and will soon resign her council seat to run for Harris County Judge, expressed frustration to Houston Public Media about the delay.

The proposal is set to be considered again Dec. 10. Plummer said she is concerned that it could be further watered down between now and then. 

“I think the people that are living, actually experiencing the conditions, are going to hate it,” Plummer said.