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Victoria Vargas said that when she moved in a year ago, the management refused to replace the tattered mini-blinds, outdated appliances and worn carpet.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]
2 Comments
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.