Houston, Texas: County Seeks Closure or Receiver for Life at Jackson Square Apartments

Harris County is asking a judge to close the Life at Jackson Square apartments in southwest Houston for one year or place the complex under a court appointed receiver, alleging that its owners and operators have allowed criminal activity and dangerous conditions to persist.

County Attorney Abbie Kamin announced the move on Tuesday, October 27. Her office is intervening on behalf of Harris County and the State of Texas in the City of Houston's existing lawsuit over the complex, which stands at 5410 N. Braeswood Boulevard in the Meyerland area and holds more than 1,300 apartments across about 39 acres. The property has also operated under the names Nob Hill and Meyerland on Braeswood.

What the county petition alleges

The petition alleges that the owners and operators failed to take reasonable steps to address recurring crime and unsafe conditions. It describes inoperable vehicle gates, unlocked pedestrian gates, inadequate exterior lighting and unsecured vacant apartments, and it cites municipal violations involving sewage, accumulated trash, ineffective pest control and hazardous exposed electrical wiring. At least three severely fire damaged buildings remain unsecured, the county alleges.

The filing lists 16 incidents involving firearms, aggravated assaults, robberies, arson and narcotics offenses between May 2023 and September 2026. It also references a city filing documenting more than 800 police calls for service reporting potential criminal activity at the complex. Calls for service do not necessarily establish that a crime occurred, and the allegations are part of the county's request for court action. They are not findings by a judge.

"We want this property cleaned up. It means real security, lighting, cameras and an end to the criminal activity," Kamin said. "If the owners cannot or will not do that, they need to make this right for the families that live there."

Residents and the October 20 fire

Residents who spoke with FOX 26 described maintenance and safety concerns. Mary Perry said bullet holes in her window had not been repaired and insects were entering her apartment through cracks. Larry, a resident of about 15 years, said: "It just went bad, and then they stopped maintaining the property," he said.

On October 20, Houston firefighters answered a two alarm fire at 5465 Braesvalley Drive, inside the complex, at about 6:24 p.m. Crews found a vacant two story apartment building burning, searched it and found no occupants. One firefighter was taken to a hospital with a non life threatening injury and later released. The department sent 118 personnel, and arson investigators were asked to determine the cause, which remained under investigation in the department's October 21 update.

What the county is asking the court to do

The county seeks injunctions requiring the defendants to address what it alleges is a common nuisance under Texas law. At a final hearing, it wants the court to order the complex closed for one year or, alternatively, appoint a receiver who could collect rent, make repairs and manage the property. The petition itself does not close the property or direct residents to leave, and it carries no hearing date and no signed order.

Kamin acknowledged the risk to the families who live there. "We don't want to see families displaced with nowhere to go, but that is also a very real concern and we have to grapple with that because it is not safe to be there," she said. She said the litigation could take months, a year or longer. Her office is asking tenants to share leases and written promises about amenities, maintenance or security.

FOX 26 requested comment from the property owners and the management side.