438 East 13th Street, Manhattan, NY 10009

438 East 13th Street is a 20-unit, 5-story Old Law Tenement building located in Manhattan's East Village, owned by Tara Dexter and constructed in 1900. The building has experienced recurring issues with heat and hot water, particularly notable during November 2023 when multiple tenants reported problems with the entire building's system, though some complaints were duplicates of others. More recently, in 2025, there are ongoing complaints regarding unsanitary conditions related to garbage/recycling storage and water supply issues.

The building has also faced various maintenance challenges, with open violations as of November 2024 including roof leaks, fire retardant material issues, and the need for painting in public areas. There are two active Environmental Control Board violations from 2021 regarding non-compliance with electrical work permit requirements, with penalties of $2,500 and $1,250. The property has undergone several inspections and received various complaints over the years, including issues with electrical wiring in 2021, an illegal hotel room complaint in 2024, and multiple building maintenance code violations.

However, it has consistently passed rodent inspections, showing an established pattern of maintaining pest control standards. The building's management has demonstrated some responsiveness to maintenance issues, as evidenced by the closure of several complaints through inspection and repair, though many recent complaints remain unresolved. Bedbug reports from 2022-2024 indicate generally low infestation rates, with most years reporting no affected units, though there was one infested unit in the 2020-2021 reporting period. The building's maintenance history suggests ongoing challenges with basic systems and infrastructure, particularly regarding heating and water supply, while also indicating some attention to general maintenance and compliance requirements through periodic permit issuance and inspection responses.