513 East 5th Street, Manhattan, NY 10009

The five-story, 18-unit OLD LAW TENEMENT building at 513 East 5th Street in the East Village, owned by Rafael Sassouni, has experienced several significant maintenance challenges over recent years, most notably concerning heating and safety systems. Most recently, in April 2025, HPD issued violations related to the building's fire escape safety.

The building has experienced recurring issues with heat and hot water throughout its history, with multiple complaints recorded between 2019 and 2024, representing emergency situations affecting the entire building. While some of these complaints were ultimately resolved, there were instances in 2024-2025 where HPD was unable to gain access for inspection purposes. The building has demonstrated consistent compliance with bedbug reporting requirements, with all annual reports from 2019 to 2024 showing zero instances of infestation, eradication, or re-infestation.

However, there have been challenges with rodent activity, particularly in 2024, with several inspections indicating rat activity between January and September 2024, though the most recent inspections in 2025 have passed. A separate violation from 2020 related to rubbish bins in the first-story public hall was addressed through certification. While the building's record shows regular maintenance and compliance efforts, the persistent heating system issues and recent fire escape violations represent ongoing concerns for resident comfort and safety.