159 Orchard Street, Manhattan, NY 10002

159 Orchard Street, a 5-story, 10-unit Old Law Tenement building located in Manhattan's Lower East Side, has experienced recurring maintenance issues, particularly with heating and water infrastructure, over the past two years. Between January 2023 and March 2024, there were multiple reports of heat and hot water problems affecting the entire building, with some complaints requiring emergency response from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). The building has also faced water-related challenges, including a heavy flow leak reported in January 2024 and a damp spot leak documented in September 2023, with the latter resulting in violations.

More recent developments show active violations as of April 2024 concerning fire retardant material repairs in the public halls across all stories, along with the requirement for light-colored paint application. The property has undergone various inspections and maintenance assessments, with mixed results on basic habitability requirements. While there have been no reported bedbug infestations since 2019, indicating effective pest management, recent rodent inspections in 2025 have shown rat activity, contrasting with consistent pass results in earlier inspections.

The building's safety equipment has also been a concern, with previous violations noted regarding missing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in Apartment 4C (2021). Additional historical records show inspections and maintenance requests related to plumbing, flooring, and unsanitary conditions, though many of these were resolved without the issuance of violations. The most recent Environmental Control Board violation from March 2023 highlights concerns about improperly maintained window air conditioning units, for which a $500 penalty was imposed.