982 2nd Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10022

The 9-unit, 4-story Old Law Tenement building at 982 2nd Avenue, owned by Lenny Kukaj and built in 1928, has experienced several significant maintenance and compliance issues in recent years. Most notably, as of April 2025, there are currently four open complaints concerning unsanitary conditions related to garbage and recycling storage, which have prompted HPD inspection requests and notifications to the property owner.

In 2024, the building faced multiple critical violations including fire escape egress obstruction due to flower pots (violations remain open), plumbing issues involving basins and sinks, and several heat and hot water complaints. Notable violations were recorded in Apartment 275 in October 2023, including inadequate hot water supply, defective bathtub caulking, and missing carbon monoxide/smoke detectors, though some heat-related issues from 2023 were eventually closed after inspection. The building's safety and maintenance history reveals ongoing concerns, including multiple investigations into unauthorized work (though most complaints were found to have no violations), and active Environmental Control Board violations regarding fire escape access and unauthorized facade structures with $1250 penalties each.

However, there have been consistent rodent inspections since 2018, with all passing results indicating effective pest management, and the property has maintained a clean bedbug record with no reported infestations in recent years. The building's heating system has exhibited instability, with several emergency heat/hot water complaints filed in 2023, though most were resolved upon inspection. While the property has shown compliance with various regulations over time, the recent open complaints regarding garbage storage and active violations suggest ongoing maintenance challenges that require attention.