MISSOURI CITY, Texas – Jubilee at Texas Parkway, the senior living complex in Missouri City that KPRC 2 has been reporting on for the past few weeks due to ongoing elevator outages, has been hit with a $381,400 penalty from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
On Friday, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation said it has issued a Notice of Alleged Violation (NOAV) to the apartment complex that houses seniors and tenants with disabilities for “operating outside of the standards and codes required for elevators in Texas.”
The $381,400 fine comes after extensive reporting on the issue by KPRC 2 reporter Rilwan Balogun, who learned that residents had been dealing with non-working elevators, safety, and maintenance concerns at the property since early May.
Rilwan learned that some resident had been left stranded in their apartments for weeks, while others had been forced to take multiple flights of stairs for daily activities and medical appointments. This prompted a response from Houston area leaders like Congressman Al Green and the launch of a state investigation into the property’s safety violations.
Congressman Green toured the property and demanded a meeting with the property owners and management, which was ultimately denied.
Last week, on June 20, the owners of the property responded after weeks of our reports and an outcry from the community, saying they were deploying a full-time onsite care team for the building and also offering free relocation.
Despite their response and promises, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation says no elevators at the complex are currently working, and the building owners, Gardner Capital, have reported the issue to TDLR as out of service. Also, they said neither elevator has been reported as having had a safety inspection every 12 months as required by state law.
TDLR released the following statement regarding the fine, in part:
“The building owner is responsible for obtaining a Certificate of Compliance for each elevator and escalator in a building, and for posting it in a conspicuous place. When an elevator is placed out of service, a building owner must notify TDLR within 30 days.
- One of the elevators at the Jubilee (Decal #11857) was inspected in 2021 and 2023, and Jubilee never properly reported those inspections to TDLR and did not maintain the required inspection cycle.
- The other elevator at the Jubilee (Decal #11858) was inspected in 2021, 2023 and 2025, and Jubilee never properly reported those inspections to TDLR and did not maintain the required inspection cycle.
“During an investigation into the complaints received in early May, TDLR found that neither elevator on site has a current Certificate of Compliance and they have not had one for 1,557 days. The investigation also found that inspection reports for the elevators have not been filed with TDLR for 1,557 days.
“TDLR prosecutors are alleging the following violations:
- 2 Class C violations for failure to maintain equipment in compliance with Texas standards and codes
- 4 Class C violations for failure to have an annual inspection of each elevator
- 4 Class C violations for failing to notify TDLR of equipment placed out of order within 30 days
- 34 Class A violations for failing to file inspection reports and applicable fees within 30 days of an inspection
- 1,557 Class B violations for failing to obtain an annual certificate of compliance
“The Texas Occupations Code authorizes TDLR to assess administrative penalties of up to $5,000 per day per violation. The Department’s Enforcement Plan provides for an administrative penalty:
- Up to $1,000 per unit of equipment for a Class A violation;
- $1,000 up to $3,000 per unit of equipment plus file required documents and pay applicable fees for a Class B violation;
- $1,000 to $5,000 per unit of equipment plus obtain inspection for a Class C violation;
- $5,000 per unit of equipment for a Class D violation.
“Jubilee at Texas Parkway must immediately bring the building’s elevator equipment into full compliance by obtaining a current Certificate of Compliance for all equipment related to the violations or TDLR could seek an Emergency Shutdown Order for the elevators at the site.”
KPRC 2 has since reached out to Gardner Capital for a response. At the time of this writing, we have not heard back.
We also learned that the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs issued violations against Jubilee. The apartment complex has until July 2 to fix the elevators, or they will start issuing fines.
TDCHA issued the following statement:
TDHCA is aware of the unacceptable property conditions that exist at Jubilee at Texas Parkway. The property owner has been issued a Notice of Noncompliance, per 10 TAC 10.621 Violations of the National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate or Local Codes (NSPIRE). The issuance was given on June 25, and the owner has five days to correct the issue of noncompliance (per the rule previously mentioned). That deadline is July 2, 2025. The matter will also be referred to TDHCA’s Enforcement committee where the owner could face fines and/or possible debarment measures.
In short:
- TDHCA has issued a notice of noncompliance to Gardner Capital with a significantly truncated remediation timeframe (5 days rather than the standard 90 days).
- Considering the nature of the problem and its implications for resident health and safety, TDHCA will pursue more severe/significant enforcement actions, including potential debarment, if Gardner Capital does not remedy the problem within the prescribed timeframe.
- TDHCA is working to amend agency rule to require developers and/or management companies to report to TDHCA elevator issues that endanger resident health and safety within a prescribed period.
- TDHCA will endeavor to enter into an MOU with TDLR to improve communication and coordination between both entities as it relates to significant health and safety concerns for residents of multifamily developments in the TDHCA portfolio.
