26 1st Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10009

The six-story, 20-unit tenement building at 26 1st Avenue in the East Village, owned by Nicholas Drobenko, has experienced persistent heat and hot water issues throughout 2025, with multiple emergency complaints filed and investigated by HPD. From January to May 2025 alone, there were at least ten separate complaints regarding heat and hot water problems, with many instances where HPD inspectors were unable to gain access to the affected apartments for verification. An open complaint regarding an electrical/gas range from April 2025 is also currently outstanding.

The building has some concerning open violations from 2024, including an open Class B violation regarding encumbered public hall space and a Class A violation related to bedbug reporting compliance. Notable issues were documented in Apartment 10, including multiple violations for water leaks and damaged surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom, along with requirements for general repairs and re-painting throughout the apartment. Additional historical context reveals significant scaffolding and safety violations from 2018, including a $25,000 penalty for failing to safeguard persons and property during construction, along with other scaffolding-related violations totaling $37,500.

The building has experienced three complaints regarding building shaking or vibration between 2018 and 2025, though inspections found no violations warranted for these complaints. While the building's rodent inspection results have been predominantly passed, a "Rat Activity" result was recorded in May 2025. The property has undergone regular bedbug reporting inspections, with reports from 2021-2022 showing no infested units. The building's management has faced challenges with both routine maintenance and emergency response, as evidenced by the pattern of heat-related complaints and access issues for inspections.