44 East 1st Street, Manhattan, NY 10003

44 East 1st Street is a 5-story, 8-unit Old Law Tenement building located in the East Village and owned by Steve Croman. The building has experienced persistent maintenance issues, particularly with water-related problems, showing a pattern of leaks and water damage. Between 2024-2025, there were multiple water leak complaints, including instances of heavy flow and slow leaks, with several violations documented between April and June 2024.

More recently, in 2025, there have been complaints regarding the building's plumbing (steam pipe/riser), electrical systems (no lighting), and ongoing water leak issues. The building suffered from a significant heat/hot water service interruption in October 2024 affecting both the entire building and individual apartments. The property has a history of violations requiring repairs to plastered surfaces and paint in multiple rooms, particularly in Apartment 4 during mid-2024, where violations were issued for damaged walls and ceilings.

Previous building-related incidents include a 2022 boiler issue that resulted in an ECB violation for a defective heat controller and oil leak, though this penalty has been paid. The building's egress systems were scrutinized in 2018, with multiple complaints about locked or blocked exits, though inspections did not warrant violations at that time. On a positive note, the building has consistently passed rodent inspections between 2019 and 2025 and has demonstrated good pest control through regular bedbug reporting showing no infestation between 2019 and 2025. The property has had various work permits issued for maintenance and improvements, with records showing active compliance with some required repairs.