Houston neighborhood is terrorized by short-term rental property used for ‘days-long parties, where gunshots ring out and couple were filmed having sex on balcony’ as school bus drove past

Neighbors of an apartment block where three units are used as Airbnb-style rentals say they are living a nightmare of all-day parties and public sex.

Residents of townhouses valued up at $500,0000 are fed up with what they describe as sex parties, violence, and drug use.

Gunshots rang out from the Westhaven Estates building in west Houston two weeks ago and security cameras caught a man holding a gun walking out.

A couple was also filmed having sex on a balcony on a Monday morning in view of parents taking their children to elementary school just 200ft away.

Neighbors said the frequent partying started on Thursday nights and continued almost non-stop until Monday mornings.

They said it was worse than ever last week when students descended on the building during Spring Break.

More footage showed a woman wearing a thong strutting along a cobbled pathway, and guests at the Airbnb shrieking and screaming at night. 

People who live in the townhomes near Houston’s Galleria Mall said this was not what they signed up for when they moved into the upmarket neighborhood with their kids. 

They are increasingly alarmed by armed people smoking marijuana, which is still illegal in Texas, who block the entrance to their homes with their cars. 

Nancy Rutherford, who lives a street away from the building, said dozens of calls to police did nothing to help.

‘It has been a living nightmare. This generally starts on a Thursday night; it goes all night long and it continues until about Monday morning,’ she told KHOU.

‘None of us feel safe anymore. It’s only a matter of time until somebody gets killed. What is HPD doing? I don’t know I would like to know what HPD is doing.’

Kathy Yang, who lives in Westhaven Estates, regularly has her car blocked in when the guests fill the driveway with their vehicles.

She wanted to move, but said she wouldn’t be able to rent her apartment out with such noisy neighbors, and couldn’t in good conscience sell it.

‘So I’m stuck,’ she said.

After 87 attempts to get police to help shut down the out-of-control short-term rental, it remains in operation. 

Houston Mayor John Whitmire addressed the issue at a recent city council meeting after complaints from residents around the city.

‘No one should have to be exposed to the conditions that we’re hearing about today. I’ve seen some pictures that are obviously violating the law,’ he said.

‘It’s obviously a hotel.’

However, Whitmire’s office said Texas was a strong property rights state and a federal court last year struck down Austin’s short-term rental rules as unconstitutional.

‘We are in the process of gathering public input, data and facts on how to move forward with addressing concerns about short term rentals,’ it said.

‘The City of Houston plans to make an informed decision before deciding how to move forward.’

According to the rental’s listing, the ‘luxury’ home sleeps up to 10 people and can be reserved for a little as $486 a night.

Photos of the property show black walls, large mirrors and beds covered in Chanel bedding. 

‘Each bedroom is fitted with silky smooth linens, comfy blankets, and soft pillows that’ll feel like you’re sleeping on heavens clouds,’ the listing said. 

The listing specifically spells out that parties are not allowed.

Airbnb did not immediately respond for comment regarding the party palace.