Fed Up With Short Term Rental Partying, East Austin Couple Files Lawsuit

EAST AUSTIN, TX -- Many an East Austin resident has had to endure the loud parties thrown at all hours of the night in a part of town that has gone trendy, gentrified to the point to the point of intrusion into established neighborhoods.

Now, a pair of homeowners is striking back, taking their neighbors to court over their noise emanating from their constant partying, according to a published report.

Filed Friday, the litigation has already had the desire effect -- at least for now with a temporary restraining order granted that effectively halts parties for two weeks, CBS Austin reported.

The attorney for the suing couple stated his clients' state succinctly: "It really has been a nightmare for them," David Lawrence told the news station.

Their ordeal began last year after the couple bought a condominium on Gunter Street. Unbeknownst to them at the time of their purchase were four neighboring homes used as short term rentals. STRs are increasingly popping up on the East Austin landscape, used by property owners as lucrative dwelling options for visitors during South by Southwest and other cultural events drawing the crowds to Austin.

“My clients couldn’t sleep at night," Lawrence said. "There were loud parties going on. There were people coming to their door looking for the party, there would be people trespassing on their property.”

A judge is expected to review the case next week and decide whether or not to impose an injunction to end parties at the STRs until the trial's completion.

>>> Read the full story at CBS Austin