HOUSTON, TX – Houston city officials and health department personnel inspected the Life at Jackson Square apartment complex after residents continued reporting fires, rats, roaches, mold, and unsafe living conditions throughout the property.

During the inspection, residents showed officials boarded and vacant apartments they said were open and accessible to squatters, along with units containing rat droppings, smoke damage, broken gates, overgrown grass, and reported pest infestations.

As city officials arrived at the leasing office, management employees were seen leaving through the rear of the office area before Houston police officers and inspectors entered the building. Dr. Matthews stated management had previously closed the office and left before inspections during an earlier visit to the property.

One resident showed officials a fire-damaged apartment she said she had continued living in since a fire in December while still paying rent at the complex. Residents also complained about pests including rats and roaches, along with ongoing maintenance issues throughout the property.

Houston City Councilwoman and soon-to-be Harris County Attorney Abbie Kamin urged residents experiencing unsafe conditions to continue filing complaints through 311, stating the reports help allow inspectors and health officials to investigate conditions inside units.

City officials also discussed ongoing inspections and citations connected to the property under Houston’s new apartment inspection ordinance.