159 East 33rd Street, Manhattan, NY 10016

The 4-story, 7-unit tenement building at 159 East 33rd Street in Kips Bay, built in 1910, has experienced several notable maintenance issues in recent years. Most concerning is a pattern of heating system problems, with multiple emergency complaints in October 2023 about heat and hot water issues affecting both individual apartments and the entire building. There was also a water leak with heavy flow reported in November 2023.

The building has documented violations related to building security, with citations in October 2023 for defective self-closing doors at both the vestibule and front entrance. Additional maintenance challenges have included mold issues (2021), wall and plaster problems (2020), and significant pest control violations, particularly in Apartment 4 regarding roach and mice infestations (2020). The fourth-floor fire escape has been a focal point of regulatory scrutiny, with multiple active violations as of 2024-2025 related to improper modifications and certification issues.

The property has undergone several tenant safety inspections between late 2023 and 2024, all resulting in Oath Violations being served. While there have been multiple Housing Maintenance Code violations and complaints over the years, recent filings indicate no bedbug infestations since at least 2020, and the most recent rodent inspection in March 2025 passed successfully. The building's ownership, Hilltop Green Village, LLC, has faced penalties related to failure to comply with violation orders, with active ECB violations totaling $2,500 in penalties as of 2024. While many previous violations have been resolved or dismissed, there remains a concerning pattern of heating system reliability issues and questions about fire safety compliance that continue to require attention.