228 East 5th Street, Manhattan, NY 10003

The 9-unit, 3-story building at 228 East 5th Street in the East Village, owned by Wayne Yau and dating back to 1845, has experienced several significant maintenance issues in recent years. Most notably, there has been an ongoing struggle with pest control, as evidenced by a recent unsanitary condition complaint in December 2024 that HPD was unable to fully investigate, and multiple rodent inspections revealing rat activity in 2022 and 2025, though recent inspections in early 2025 showed compliance.

The building has a documented history of heating issues, with four heat/hot water complaints recorded between 2018 and 2021, primarily affecting the entire building, though records indicate these issues were resolved or improved at the time of inspection. The property has also faced regulatory scrutiny, particularly regarding bedbug reporting compliance, with violations issued in 2021-2024 for failure to file annual reports properly, though the most recent bedbug filings for 2023-2025 show no reported infestations.

In terms of building safety, there was an egress-related violation in 2020 concerning blocked access, and two "Work Without Permits" complaints in 2023, though inspections found no violations. The building's age and history as a converted Class B structure, combined with the persistent pest and heating issues, suggest ongoing maintenance challenges, though recent bedbug and rodent inspections indicate some level of improved monitoring and compliance with health and safety requirements.