128 East 10th Street, Manhattan, NY 10003

128 East 10th Street is a 5-story, 6-unit residential building located in Manhattan's East Village, built in 1861 and currently owned by Thomas Higgins. The property has been experiencing ongoing maintenance issues, with three open complaints as of January 2025 related to door problems and electrical issues, suggesting persistent challenges with basic infrastructure. The building has a troubling history of inspection access issues, as evidenced by multiple instances where inspectors were unable to gain entry during both 2023 and 2024 Local Law 188 inspections, and several HPD inspections in 2024.

Significant violations and compliance issues include an active ECB violation from April 2024 regarding defective boiler conditions with associated penalties, and multiple open Class A bedbug reporting violations dating from 2021-2024 indicating non-compliance with mandatory reporting requirements. The building has faced various maintenance challenges over the past several years, including multiple electrical problems (with both light fixtures and outlets), door/window issues, and stair-related complaints. While inspections in 2025 and late 2024 passed for rodent activity, there were earlier indications of rat activity in 2022. Historical records show patterns of maintenance delays and compliance issues, including multiple emergency and non-emergency violations related to stair safety, roof leaks, and window repairs, particularly affecting Apartment 4 on the fourth floor.

The property has undergone some repairs, as evidenced by closed violations in 2024-2025 regarding electrical outlets, lighting, and window frame issues, though several complaints remain unresolved. Of particular note is the building's boiler situation, with an active violation regarding the Weil McLain unit with safety concerns including improper ventilation and missing CO detector, which has not been resolved as of the latest inspection. The building's maintenance history suggests ongoing challenges with basic infrastructure systems, though recent rodent inspections indicate improved conditions in that regard. The property has shown some pattern of work being performed without proper permits, as noted in a 2022 Department of Buildings complaint that remains troubling given the nature of the building's existing violations.