169 West 81st Street, Manhattan, NY 10024

169 West 81st Street is a 5-story, 20-unit residential building located in Manhattan's Upper West Side, built in 1890 and currently owned by Smajlje Srdanovic. The building has experienced several significant maintenance issues in recent years, most notably an open water leak with heavy flow that was reported in June 2025 and remains unresolved as of July 2025, representing the most pressing current maintenance concern. The building has a documented history of infrastructure problems, including a power outage in March 2025 (closed), heat/hot water issues in May 2019 (originally reported for the entire building but subsequently resolved according to tenant reports), and electrical wiring concerns in Apartment 4W noted in a 2021 violation.

The property has also faced various safety and maintenance challenges, including water flow issues, exposed electrical wiring in 2021, and multiple open violations from 2021 related to ceiling repairs in the 5th-story public hall and masonry work at the building entrance. The building's maintenance history shows a pattern of regulatory inspections and violations, with active violations as of 2021 concerning fire retardant materials in the 5th-story ceiling and masonry work at the entrance. There have been multiple rodent inspections conducted recently, with the most recent passing inspection in August 2024, though there was evidence of rodent activity noted in 2020.

The building has maintained a clean record regarding bedbugs, with no reported infestations in the past six years from 2019 to 2025. Historical complaints from 2018-2019 indicate various issues including illegal conversion, building debris, and concerns about security devices, with some violations resulting in penalties. While the building has undergone various repairs and improvements as evidenced by numerous permits issued between 2018-2019 (including electrical, plumbing, and general maintenance work), the persistence of certain open violations and recent maintenance issues suggests ongoing building system challenges.