Residents of an apartment complex in Spring Branch are fed up with rats, mold, and punctured pipes; They say their complaints go unheeded

HOUSTON Residents of the Spring Branch residential complex say they live in deplorable conditions.

Residents say they are dealing with rats, mold and burst pipes.

“From the ceiling flows. Also, every time my upstairs neighbors use the shower and flush the toilet, the water runs down my walls,” said local resident Cepheus Harper.

Harper said he tried to contact the management company of Waterford Grove Apartments, but he got a lot of help.

“Now this is the point where we’re in a tug of war and they’re like, ‘OK, do you want to terminate the lease?’ And I’m like, “No, it’s not that easy for me,” Harper said.

Community activist Dr. Candace Matthews entered the rental office on Friday morning but said everyone fled and refused to answer questions.

KPRC contacted Lone Star Legal Aid about these issues and they said that tenants have several options in these situations.

Dani Carney, director of litigation, said residents must notify their landlord in writing.

“One of the options you have is to sue your landlord. The justice of the peace is the courthouse you want to go to,” Carney said. “Another option is to call your local code inspector and see if the city inspector will intervene.”

Carney said that you, the tenants, can also try to fix the problems yourself, but only with written permission from the landlord. You also want to make sure they are willing to cover the cost of the repair.

For more information about tenant rights and options, visit the website Lone Star Legal Aid • Justice has no limits.