513 East 13th Street, Manhattan, NY 10009

The six-story New Law Tenement building at 513 East 13th Street in the East Village, owned by Robert Raphael, has experienced significant maintenance challenges in recent years. Most notably, there is an ongoing heat and hot water issue affecting the entire building, with multiple tenant complaints filed in February 2025. The building has faced several critical maintenance violations, including an active ECB violation from October 2024 regarding a detached metal cornice creating a hazardous condition for pedestrians, and another active violation from March 2023 concerning improper gas piping installation in public hallways.

Previous maintenance concerns include a rodent infestation in Apartment 25 (2024), multiple heat and hot water emergencies (2025), and several door/window-related issues. The building has also been subject to multiple Department of Buildings complaints and violations regarding unauthorized construction and electrical work, with some violations remaining active as of 2024-2025. The property has documented rat activity throughout 2025, with multiple inspections showing continued pest control efforts, while the building's recent bedbug reports indicate limited infestation history.

Numerous housing maintenance code violations have been issued between 2022 and 2024, including electrical safety issues, plumbing concerns, and problems with building security features. While some violations have been closed through remediation, several remain open or have been noted as requiring certification of correction. The building's maintenance history shows a pattern of recurrent heating system problems, pest control challenges, and compliance issues with building safety regulations, particularly regarding access requirements and emergency conditions. While some improvements have been documented through permit issuance, including plumbing and electrical work in 2019, the frequency and nature of recent complaints suggest ongoing maintenance challenges.