239 West 20th Street, Manhattan, NY 10011

239 West 20th Street is a 6-story, 24-unit old law tenement building located in Chelsea, built in 1910 and currently owned by Neil Madsen. The building has experienced recurring maintenance issues in recent years, with the most pressing current concerns being open complaints from January 2025 related to mold and ceiling problems, both categorized as emergency situations. These issues follow a pattern of moisture-related problems, as evidenced by multiple complaints about mold and water leaks/damp spots during 2024-2025.

The building has a documented history of heat and hot water problems, particularly in late 2022, when multiple complaints were filed and violations were issued regarding inadequate heat and hot water supply, particularly affecting the 6th-floor apartment. The property has undergone several inspections for rodent activity, with mixed results; while most recent inspections have passed, there were instances of rat activity noted in 2024 and 2022. There is an outstanding illegal conversion complaint from 2025 that could not be properly investigated due to access issues. Historical violations include inadequate self-closing doors, inadequate lighting at the entrance, and missing safety notices, although most of these have been addressed and closed.

Notably, the building has maintained a clean record regarding bedbug infestations, with zero reported cases between 2019 and 2024, suggesting effective pest management practices. Recent inspections and maintenance code complaints indicate ongoing challenges with building systems and maintenance, particularly regarding moisture control and surface maintenance. The most recent housing maintenance code violations from 2024-2025 include issues with ceiling paint/plaster and unsanitary conditions related to mold, while previous years have shown recurring heat and hot water problems. The current open complaints regarding mold and ceiling issues suggest there are still unresolved maintenance challenges affecting resident comfort and building conditions.