A resident of nearby Simms Woods sends us photos of an apartment complex off Wayside Dr. that’s received a number of citations recently . . . but not the good kind:
The citations to the Courtyard Apartments on Villa de Matel allege eight structural and electrical problems, including rotting wood, missing balcony railings, loose boards and broken windows, city officials said. . . .
Tenant Victoria Vargas said that when she moved in a year ago, the management refused to replace the tattered mini-blinds, outdated appliances and worn carpet.
Now, she said in Spanish, she also must contend with leaky ceilings, rats and high energy bills for her $400-a-month unit.
State Rep. Hubert Vo has owned the 241-unit complex at 950 Villa de Matel through a company called Newlink Investment since July of 2002, according to HCAD records.
The mess — and the neglect apparently visited on his tenants, who are clearly not in his district — doesn’t look healthy for Mr. Vo, a Democrat who’s running for re-election this year. But maybe someone can help him out!
A commenter on the Chronicle‘s Houston Politics blog passes on a report that Vo bought the Courtyard Apartments for $2.8 million, and notes that they are now available for sale . . . for just $20,332 a unit! That’s only $4.9 million for 7.6 acres of juicy East End Inner Loop property! From the listing brochure:
This property affords a buyer good upside potential thru a moderate/heavy rehab. This community is constructed in a classic garden style design and was built in 1972.
After the jump: more pix of this prime real estate, just steps away from the Gus Wortham Golf Course and ripe for that moderate/heavy rehab! Plus: more Vo East End apartment holdings!
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More photos of the Courtyard Apartments:
Our tipster also mentions a second complex nearby that Vo has owned since 2000: the Wall Street Square Apartments — across the street at 810 Fair Oaks Rd. They appear to be in only “slightly better condition” than the Courtyard Apartments.
- Inspectors cite complex owned by lawmaker Vo [Houston Chronicle]
- Rodriguez on Vo’s apartments: I must help my constituents [Houston Politics]
- Courtyard Apartments [Houston Income Properties]
My god, what a jerk. This reflects very, very poorly on Mr. Vo. This side of town has an armload of properties in similar disrepair, but I never would have thought that the slumlord owners would be in a position that is all about making Houston a better place to live. . .
Nice. You stay classy, Mr. Vo.
Any update on the repairs? Pics?
what kind of shit is this i vather live in a tree
This deal was under contract and should have closed by now. Hopefully the new owner is respectable.
If anyone has any information on this deal, I would love to know the hopefully bright future for this complex.
to jhonnylaw
i have some information and some questions.
can you leave me your mail ?
Jhou7374@gmail.com
This place still looks just like this.
These apartments are horrible i am sad to say i live here there is rotting installation rats roaches and they dont fix anything all they do is paint over it so it looks nice. The management here is the worst she steals fom us and these apartments ppl are just mving out and some how every person here ows a 1000 or more every month, to make matters worse she has gone into tenents apartments and has locked ppl out just as she pleases everyone here is struggoing because of her and the ppl who own these apartments and no body gives a crap despite the city being called and the owner and other managers being told what is happening noone can even move out and most ppl dont want to leave there apartments because of her this is the worst possible place to live and noone cares enough to help us