203 West 81st Street, Manhattan, NY 10024

This 8-story, 55-unit New Law Tenement building at 203 West 81st Street, owned by Jerry Cubbin and constructed in 1920, has experienced notable maintenance challenges in recent years. The most recent significant issue occurred in February 2024, when residents reported heat and hot water problems affecting the entire building, though inspectors were unable to gain access for verification. The building has a history of emergency violations, particularly from December 2019, when multiple issues were documented including mold, plumbing, electrical, door, and flooring problems, though these were all eventually closed.

A concerning pattern emerged in 2021 when Apartment 6E was cited for multiple violations including defective smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, mold presence, and bathroom maintenance issues, including a violation for inadequate tenant protection during construction work that incurred a $625 fine. The building has undergone regular inspections and permit issuance for various maintenance and improvement works, with the most recent permits issued in 2023 for plumbing work. Notably, 311 service requests from 2018-2025 show consistent attention to building maintenance issues, with no recorded bedbug infestations in the past five years.

Recent rodent inspections in early 2025 showed the building passed initial inspections, though there have been intermittent reports of rat activity in previous years. The property has maintained compliance with Department of Health regulations, with no recorded violations during mobile food vendor inspections in 2022-2025. Despite these challenges, the building has demonstrated a pattern of addressing violations over time, with many historical issues being resolved through ongoing maintenance and inspections.