495 Amsterdam Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10024

The five-story, nine-unit tenement building at 495 Amsterdam Avenue, owned by Alex Kaskel, has experienced recurring maintenance issues since 2024, most notably with water damage and heating systems. Currently, there is an open HPD complaint regarding a slow water leak filed in March 2025, following multiple heating system failures in early 2025 (January) that required emergency interventions. The building has also faced persistent rodent problems, with documented rat activity and multiple bait applications between November 2024 and February 2025, including recent compliance inspections confirming rodent presence.

Noteworthy structural and maintenance violations remain as of 2024, particularly concerning Apartment 5E, where there are open violations related to water leaks, plaster damage, and peeling paint affecting multiple rooms. The building's history includes significant events from 2020 to 2023, particularly regarding construction and safety compliance. In 2021, the property faced multiple construction-related violations, including work without proper permits and violations of stop-work orders, resulting in penalties totaling $25,000.

During this period, there were also heating system violations documented by the Environmental Control Board, including issues with steam piping and control settings. The building's maintenance record shows regular bedbug monitoring with no infestations reported since 2019, and while there have been various violations issued, most have been resolved, including several related to hazardous conditions that required correction certifications. Recent inspections in 2023-2024 indicate ongoing attention required for basic maintenance issues, including roof leaks affecting multiple ceilings in Apartment 5E and persistent water-related problems throughout the building.