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HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — Nearly four months have passed since Harris County sued the owners of an apartment complex due to persistent raw sewage issues affecting residents. ABC13 followed up to see if the lawsuit had spurred any action to resolve the problems.
In a February interview, a resident of Palms on Rolling Creek described having to navigate around items like toilet paper, tampons, and feces to walk his daughter to school. At the time, captured footage of raw sewage covering the walkways.
After years of complaints, Harris County filed a lawsuit in January against the complex’s owners, seeking a court order to enforce proper sanitation and repairs.
“We hope to get an order in the next couple of months, but sustained compliance is crucial,” said Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee.
Progress has been made since then. A resident named Lina noted that the previously sewage-filled area is now dry, and they haven’t encountered standing sewage for months. However, other issues persist, such as water problems.
This complex also left residents without power for several days in April before fixing a power pole.
Suing an apartment complex is uncommon due to Texas laws favoring landlords over renters, a situation Menefee aims to change.
“If Texas law allowed us to get compensation for tenants or force negligent landlords out, I would pursue every legal option available,” Menefee said. “Currently, we can only enforce immediate compliance and future accountability.”
To those enduring hardships at the complex, Menefee offered reassurance: “We see you. We hear you. We’re committed to fixing this issue and will push for legislative changes to prevent similar situations in the future.”
Menefee plans to advocate for laws empowering local governments to hold negligent property owners accountable during the next legislative session in Austin.
Management of The Palms on Rolling Creek did not respond to requests for comment from Eyewitness News.