A Balcones Heights apartment complex is under the microscope after one tenant said she was sharing her kitchen with roaches, rodent droppings and a mouse brazen enough to run off with a slice of pizza. The complaints focus on The Gobi apartment community, where the resident described trash and damaged fixtures in her unit that she said made the place unlivable. City inspectors have warned management that the problems must be fixed quickly or fines could follow.
Kayla Walker, who recently moved from Virginia, told FOX San Antonio that her Ring camera captured a rodent grabbing a slice of pizza from her stove. She also told the station she found "roach eggs and poop" behind the stove and inside her cabinets. "I'm not comfortable," Walker said as she walked through the unit on camera, showing the video and conditions that prompted her complaint. Her account and the security footage formed the backbone of the station’s report.
City Code Enforcers Move In
Balcones Heights code officers issued three notices of violation to The Gobi, citing a light gap near the front door, an unsecured dining-room window with mangled metal and jagged glass, and a live roach and rodent infestation. Property managers were given 10 days to correct the issues or face possible fines, according to FOX San Antonio. Management told the station the rodent problem "was addressed immediately" and that a follow-up inspection and additional treatment were carried out. Public property listings identify the complex at 2822–2903 Hillcrest Drive, and LoopNet lists the site as The Gobi.
What the Law Says
Balcones Heights rental rules specifically list an "infestation of insects, vermin or rodents" as a violation and give code officials the authority to require repairs and issue penalties. The city’s rental-inspection materials spell out inspection timelines and how written correction orders are served. State law also requires landlords to "make a diligent effort to repair or remedy" conditions that materially affect a tenant’s health or safety, so both local rules and Chapter 92 of the Texas Property Code can come into play in situations like this.
What Tenants Can Do Next
Tenants who spot signs of pests are advised to document everything with photos or video, submit a written complaint to property management and file a code-enforcement complaint with the city. The Balcones Heights rental-program packet lays out how inspections and reporting work. If a landlord does not act, Texas tenant guides note that remedies are available under Chapter 92, including court-ordered repairs or other relief when conditions materially affect health or safety. This report will be updated if the city or property management offer additional comment.
