279 East 10th Street, Manhattan, NY 10009

279 East 10th Street is a 5-story, 16-unit New Law Tenement building constructed in 1910, currently owned by Carlos Zaragoza. The property has experienced recurring water-related issues and unsanitary conditions over the past two years, with the most recent complaints in late 2023/early 2024 involving heavy water leaks and mold problems. These complaints have generally been addressed without issuing violations, though three violations were documented in October 2023 related to water leaks and mold conditions.

The building underwent significant scrutiny in late 2023 regarding unauthorized modifications, with a partial vacate order served in October 2023 for illegal conversion of cellar recreation rooms into bedrooms, resulting in a $2,530 penalty for occupancy violations. Earlier issues included multiple instances of heat and hot water problems in April 2022, though these were quickly resolved. The building's maintenance record shows a mix of violation classes, with some recent January 2024 violations in Apartment 1R related to mold, water leaks, and self-closing door issues.

Despite these concerns, the property has maintained a zero infestation record for bedbugs over the past seven reporting periods from 2019 through 2024. Rodent inspections have shown mixed results, with periodic passes and one instance of rat activity noted in February 2024, though subsequent inspections in 2025 have passed. The building's conditions suggest ongoing maintenance challenges, particularly regarding moisture control and unauthorized modifications, though recent compliance efforts appear to be addressing some of the more pressing issues.