213 East 5th Street, Manhattan, NY 10003

213 East 5th Street is a 10-unit, 5-story Old Law Tenement building located in the East Village, dating back to 1881 and currently owned by Jonathan Wertenteil. The building has experienced several notable maintenance issues in recent years, with the most recent being a pest-related complaint in March 2023, which was resolved by HPD inspections confirming corrections were made.

Previous significant incidents include a building-wide heat and hot water failure in December 2021, which was promptly addressed, and a malfunctioning bell/buzzer/intercom system in July 2021, though inspectors were unable to gain access to verify repairs. The property has consistently submitted annual bedbug reports from 2018 through 2024, showing zero infestation cases in all reporting periods, though a recent 2024 violation notice was issued regarding the need to file the annual bedbug report. The building has faced three separate Department of Buildings complaints between 2020 and 2025 regarding potential work without permits and certificate of occupancy issues, though in all cases, inspectors were unable to gain access for verification.

Recent inspections have shown mixed results regarding rodent activity, with the most recent April 2025 inspection passing, following a February 2025 initial inspection that noted rat activity. The building's overall maintenance record shows a pattern of addressing urgent issues relatively promptly, though access issues have occasionally hindered inspections. Notably, the property has maintained a consistent record of zero bedbug infestations reported in recent years, and while there have been some pest-related complaints, these have generally been addressed within a few days of reporting.