81 Eldridge Street, Manhattan, NY 10002

The 6-story, 20-unit tenement building at 81 Eldridge Street in Chinatown, owned by James Tung, has demonstrated recurring issues with heat and hot water systems over the past several years, particularly evident in multiple emergency complaints and HPD inspections from 2019 through 2023. Most recently in February 2023, there were complaints about heat/water and electrical issues, for which inspectors were unable to gain access to the apartments.

The building has also shown persistent electrical problems, with documented outages and appliance issues, particularly during 2023, when multiple complaints regarding electrical lighting and gas range problems were filed. Of note, while the building has maintained proper bedbug reporting protocols since 2019 showing no infestations, there were violations in 2022 and 2021 related to the annual bedbug reporting requirement. The property has undergone various permitted works between 2019 and 2023, including plumbing and electrical maintenance, with the most recent permits issued in October 2023.

Rodent control has been an ongoing concern, with rat activity recorded in June 2021 and November 2021 inspections, though subsequent inspections from 2022 through 2025 have passed. The building has experienced several documented housing maintenance issues, including a 2022 violation regarding a non-self-closing vestibule door, though most violations have been addressed and closed appropriately. The property's heating system appears to be the most significant recurring issue affecting tenant comfort and safety, with multiple complaints and emergency responses over several years showing an ongoing pattern of inadequate heat and hot water services.