435 East 12th Street, Manhattan, NY 10009

The 5-story, 20-unit tenement building at 435 East 12th Street in the East Village, owned by Robinson Severino and constructed in 1900, has experienced several significant maintenance and safety issues in recent years. The property has undergone multiple heating system failures, with complaints about lack of heat and hot water in 2020 and 2021, though in both cases, HPD was informed that the systems had been restored before inspection. More recently, in 2022-2023, there were concerns about unsanitary garbage/ recycling storage conditions, though no violations were found upon inspection.

The building has faced some concerning safety violations, including a 2023 finding of a device preventing a self-closing door at the building entrance, and an October 2024 Environmental Control Board violation related to a hazardous condition blocking egress/exit passageways from the fire escape into the basement, which affected 10 apartments and involved four locked doors. The property has a history of water-related issues, with a heavy flow water leak complaint in 2022. Numerous violations were documented in February 2020 regarding the roof bulkhead and public hall areas, including problems with lighting, locking devices, fire-retardant materials, and leaks, though many of these were subsequently closed. The building's maintenance history shows regular bedbug reporting requirements have been met, with no documented infestations since 2020.

Recent rodent inspections in 2025 indicated variable conditions, with some showing rat activity and others passing inspections, suggesting ongoing pest management efforts. The Department of Buildings records show multiple construction-related complaints, including work without permits in 2018 and 2022, and a gas utility referral in 2022 where inspectors were unable to gain access. Two ECB violations from 2023 and 2022 related to hazardous conditions and unauthorized construction work remain particularly concerning, with one involving unauthorized conversion of the basement into an accessory apartment for Unit #4. The building's bedbug reporting record from 2019 to present shows consistent reporting with no infestations, and the most recent rodent inspections in 2025 show both compliance and rat activity, indicating ongoing pest management efforts.