520 East 5th Street, Manhattan, NY 10009

520 East 5th Street is a 5-story, 16-unit Old Law Tenement building located in the East Village, owned by Carlos Mejia and constructed in 1940. The property has experienced several significant maintenance issues in recent years, particularly between 2023 and 2025. Most notably, there have been recurring heat and hot water problems, with a recent complaint in December 2024 that HPD could not investigate due to access issues.

The building has also faced multiple window and door-related issues, with violations documented in late 2023 regarding window frames and panes, particularly affecting apartment 3B, as well as ongoing plumbing concerns in bathrooms and showers. The building's maintenance history raises several concerns about resident quality of life, including a pattern of window, door, and plumbing issues, as well as recent rodent activity. Between 2024 and 2025, multiple inspections have documented rat activity, with baiting operations occurring regularly throughout 2024.

Additional historical issues include mold presence (noted in 2023) and various plumbing and bathroom maintenance problems affecting multiple units, particularly in apartment A. While there have been some successful repairs and certifications of violations, the recurring nature of these issues suggests ongoing maintenance challenges. The building has maintained a bedbug-free status over the past three reporting periods, though this should be monitored due to the frequency of other pest-related issues.