343 East 5th Street, Manhattan, NY 10003

343 East 5th Street is a 6-story, 28-unit old law tenement building constructed in 1900, currently owned by Steven Croman. The property has experienced recurring ventilation and indoor air quality issues, with the most recent complaints occurring in May and June 2025, receiving advisories for correction. Between 2021 and 2023, significant maintenance challenges included multiple heat and hot water complaints affecting the entire building in January 2022, pest infestations, water leaks, and various apartment-specific issues.

A notable violation from August 2023 involved excessively hot water temperatures in Apartment 7. The building faced safety and regulatory concerns in 2021 relating to unauthorized cellar apartment conversions, with multiple violations for work done without permits and occupancy violations, though some associated fines have been resolved. Recent maintenance patterns show ongoing challenges with the building's infrastructure, including multiple plumbing complaints in 2025, with one complaint resulting in a partial stop work order. The building has maintained a consistent record of rodent activity, with inspections throughout 2024 and early 2025 indicating persistent rat presence despite baiting efforts.

However, there have been no reported issues with bedbugs in recent years, as evidenced by the annual bedbug reports showing zero infested units from 2021 to 2024. While most historical violations have been closed, there are currently active issues with plumbing systems that require attention. The building's recent inspection history shows a combination of responded complaints and situations where inspectors were unable to gain access, particularly in 2022. The property has undergone various inspections for compliance with housing maintenance codes, with a mix of Class A and Class C violations noted, particularly in Apartment 10, addressing issues such as heating, water supply, and maintenance of physical surfaces.