HOUSTON – Houston City Council will likely soon vote on a groundbreaking apartment inspection reform ordinance aimed at holding landlords accountable for health code violations.
Houston apartment complexes rack up more than a thousand health violations each year, according to City Council Member Dr. Letitia Plummer.
These violations include mold, malfunctioning utilities, and pest infestations. Under the proposed ordinance, apartment complexes with 10 or more health code violations within a year will be designated as “high risk” properties. These properties will face additional oversight and requirements.
Dr. Plummer says she began working on this comprehensive reform package for years now, developing it through extensive research and community input.
The ordinance includes major elements such as:
• Multi-departmental coordination for enforcement
• Tenant advocacy resources
• Special provisions for senior living facilities. Senior living facilities would be required to maintain one small generator to.
• Keep medications refrigerated during power outages.
• Provide at least one temperature-controlled room for resident comfort.
The ordinance faces two key steps:
1. Presentation to the Prop A committee at City Hall (Next Tuesday)
2. Final vote by City Council (requires support from Dr. Plummer and two additional council members.
The public is invited to provide input at Tuesday’s committee meeting at City Hall. If approved, the ordinance would create new standards for apartment maintenance and safety across Houston, with special emphasis on properties with recurring violations.
