HOUSTON – What was once a quiet Montrose block on Hawthorne Street near Mt. Vernon Street is now the center of late-night chaos, according to frustrated neighbors who say an Airbnb rental has become a magnet for house parties, drag racing, and dangerous behavior.
Jack Berry, who lives in the neighborhood, said he was woken up early Sunday morning by the sound of cars racing down the street.
“We thought we were dreaming. It was like something out of a movie,” Berry said. “A sedan pulled up with four guys hanging out the windows with assault rifles. Smoke started pouring out of the car, filling the neighborhood. Then they started walking toward our house. We ducked down, thinking they were coming in.”
Berry’s cell phone video captured the moments smoke was coming out of a car on the street. On Thursday, our crews saw streaks on the road of what appears to be from the drag racing.
Another cell phone video from a neighbor shows at least a dozen people gathering outside the house.
Neighbors told KPRC 2 the house is an AirBnB rental listed as “Montrose Grand House.”
The host writes no parties or large gatherings are allowed, but also writes that the property sleeps up to 21 people.
According to Texas Property Code, a landlord may allow occupants up to the three times the number of bedrooms.
In a six bedroom house like this Montrose rental, that means up to 18 people.
“There’s no monitoring or screening of who can stay here,” Berry said. “They’re not trying to fix the problem. We’re left to call police and get lawyers involved.”
KPRC 2 reached out to city council member Abbie Kamin, who represents the area.
Her office sent us the following statement:
“Council Member Kamin is working with residents to address unsafe party houses posing as legitimate short-term rentals. While her office has reported this property and others to HPD and regulatory departments, the patchwork approach that resembles whack-a-mole is exactly why Council Member Kamin worked to pass Houston’s new Short Term Rental ordinance (effective January 1, 2026). Council Member Kamin also passed an amendment to address human and sex-trafficking issues related to party houses.”
According to Houston 311, the AirBnB had four calls for service so far in 2025. This includes three parking and one occupancy violation.
We also reached out to the property owners who said they were unaware of the problems and didn’t offer help for neighbors. They referred us to the property manager, who did not get back.
AirBnB also did not get back for request for comment.
Under the new short term rental ordinance, which goes into effect in January, owners must register and pay an annual fee.
There will also be a 24-hour hotline for people to report complaints.
In the meantime, people are encouraged to continue calling Houston Police for any nuisance or crime.