349 East 51st Street, Manhattan, NY 10022

The five-story, 20-unit Old Law Tenement building at 349 East 51st Street in Midtown, owned by Elinor Arzt and constructed in 1901, has experienced recurring issues with heat and hot water system reliability, most recently reported in December 2024 as an entire-building emergency. The building has shown persistent electrical system challenges, with two power outage reports in 2024 (September and a previous incident in June).

A cluster of maintenance and safety inspections occurred in June 2024, covering various issues including door/window conditions, electrical outlet problems, and safety equipment such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; notably, no violations were issued in these inspections. The building's heating system has attracted particular attention, with a defective heat timer violation issued in May 2020 that included concerns about gas meter ventilation and storage, resulting in an Environmental Control Board penalty of $312. The property has maintained a clean record for pest control, with no bedbug complaints filed since 2019 and consistent passing results in rodent inspections from 2017 through 2025.

Historical records show a pattern of access issues during inspections, with both 2019 and 2024 heat/hot water complaints being closed due to inspectors being unable to gain access for verification. The building's management has taken some measures to address infrastructure needs, as evidenced by multiple permits issued in June 2019 for work classified under plumbing and other categories. Two separate boiler-related complaints in May 2020 were investigated, with one resulting in an Oath violation being served.