HOUSTON – We’ve all had to rely on short-term rentals at some point or another, but Houston homeowners whose neighborhoods have been plagued by them being used for means other than lodging have become fed up.
KPRC 2 has spoken with District F Council Member Tiffany Thomas in the past, who has been a strong advocate in helping residents get the legal tools necessary to fight back. She even hosted a workshop this past April.
Recommended Videos
Short-term rentals aren’t a new concept, and KPRC 2 has reported on how some have taken advantage of them as well as how other cities are cracking down on rentals used as house parties. Even Airbnb has enforced stricter protocols to curb such actions.
KPRC 2 Investigates: Airbnb adopts ‘anti-party’ technology
In a statement to KPRC 2, Airbnb says it has a “party ban” policy, that “prohibits disruptive and unauthorized parties in Airbnb listings as well as so-called ‘party houses,’ and violations can result in suspension or removal from the platform.”
Lately, some short-term rentals have been a hub for crime in Houston.
“What we’re noticing is that for those that are taking advantage of the system, and they’re using those properties for criminal activity, loud disturbances, large group parties, and then and sometimes even filming movies or, entertainment activities that are happening right there in the middle of a neighborhood,” Council Member Thomas said in an interview with KPRC 2.
“They’re popping up citywide,” Council Member Thomas continued “And I think over the last couple of years, we started hearing more issues. People are starting to come to Public Session and share concerns with council members. In District F, we’re seeing this issue in Alief, we’re seeing this in Tanglewilde, we’re seeing this in Briarmeadow.”
However, a solution to crack down on these short-term rentals isn’t as simple as calling the police or talking to your district council member.
“There has not been an apparatus in order for us to officially respond to this because, in Texas, private property is king and queen,” Council Member Thomas explained.
The City of Houston has maintained this discussion to evaluate how short-term rentals are operated and whether or not a hotel ordinance could be applied. That’s according to a July 31 report on Short-Term Rental Data and Research.
Their findings also showed that from June 2023 to June 2024, more than 60,000 calls to 911 were made within 300 feet of a short-term rental in Houston.
More calls came from Districts C and D than any other district. Overall, the number of non-emergency calls to 311 within 300 feet of a short-term rental, topped 7,700 during that same time period.
Sunday night’s shooting was in District B. which has just over 600 short-term rentals, the fewest per square mile compared to other districts.
It should be noted, that by no means, is this an attempt at stopping residents who host short-term rentals and rely on them as a source of income. Regulations must be enforced and respect for your neighbors need to be considered, the Council Member stressed, especially for hosts.
“There are plenty of times that I reserve a short-term rental when I go on vacation or when I’m going to another city in the State of Texas,” Council Member Thomas admitted. “Our intention is never to disrupt someone’s business. You know, the City of Houston is open and we always say ‘we’re open for business,’ but for the individuals that are managing their properties, they’re doing them well, most neighbors probably wouldn’t even know that they are short-term rentals because they are responsible, the properties are maintained and they have instituted and enforce their own guidelines.
“For those that may be concerned, it’s not about you, but we actually do need their help to help us smite out the ones that are causing the bad behavior and giving everyone a bad name,” she added. “Houston is a growing tourism city, and we want people to experience our neighborhoods, our city, our culture, and our food. But there’s a way that that can happen.”
SEE ALSO: Airbnb shares slide on lower revenue forecast despite a doubling of net income
Through legal means and by everyone actively participating and learning, Council Member Thomas believes the City can work toward an actual solution, where other Texas cities were unsuccessful.
“I do believe that the administration is taking a serious look at this, in terms of our legal position as a city to offer an ordinance,” she said. “Other cities such as Dallas and Austin, have issued such ordinances which were struck down in the court. So we’re looking to see what our standing can be. We’re looking to see what regulation we can offer at a local level.”
During our last conversation with CM Thomas in April, she noted, things remain in the “exploratory phase,” but expressed faith in city officials.
“Mayor [John] Whitmire was very clear that he wants to explore what’s available for us at the local level because we do have hotels that operate. And if this is, a matter of designating short-term rentals that exceed the baseline, then maybe they need to be designated as a ‘hotel within a residential,’” she said. “And that’s something we need to offer as a local ordinance. But our city legal, the mayor’s administration, and then also our outside counsel will advise us.”
“I do anticipate this item coming back up through a council committee so we can have public discussion, bring in some stakeholders, and really get a broader view of what’s actually happening in the city.”