423 East 78th Street, Manhattan, NY 10075

The four-story, 8-unit Old Law Tenement building at 423 East 78th Street, owned by Rafael Sassouni and constructed in 1910, has experienced several significant maintenance issues over recent years, most notably concerning pest control. The building underwent a period of rodent infestation between 2019 and 2020, with multiple rat sightings reported through 311 complaints, some of which resulted in Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) violations, though subsequent inspections in 2021 resulted in passing grades.

A particular incident in October 2019 required corrective action for bedbugs in one unit (4E), though this violation was certified as corrected by November 2019. More recently, in June 2025, there was a complaint regarding chemical vapors or odors that resulted in a notification to the property management. The building has shown consistent compliance with bedbug reporting requirements, with no infested units reported in the last four consecutive annual filings between 2020 and 2024, suggesting successful pest management since the 2019 infestation.

Two Housing Maintenance Code violations were recorded in 2019, including one regarding an illegally secured roof scuttle hatch, though these were subsequently addressed and closed. The building's current status shows no active violations or reported infestations, but the pattern of pest-related complaints from 2019 through 2025 indicates this has been an ongoing maintenance challenge, with the property requiring multiple interventions by health authorities during this period. The most recent 311 complaint in 2025 regarding indoor air quality is the latest notable incident on record, though the resolution indicates it was not found to be a persistent issue requiring further action.