168 East 89th Street, Manhattan, NY 10128

The 4-story, 4-unit Old Law Tenement building at 168 East 89th Street, owned by Daniel Brownstein and built in 1920, has experienced significant habitability issues over the past three years, with particular concerns regarding pests and maintenance violations. Most notably, there are ongoing rodent infestation problems, with multiple inspections in 2023-2024 showing regular "Rat Activity" detections, though the most recent inspection in May 2025 passed.

The building has also faced multiple health and safety violations in recent years, including open violations as of October 2023 in apartment 4 for pests (mice and roaches), broken bathroom plaster and light fixtures, and a defective door lock. In November 2023, a cluster of emergency complaints were addressed, including issues with water supply, mold, and problems with carbon monoxide and smoke detectors across multiple apartments. The building's maintenance history shows frequent plumbing and electrical issues, with multiple violations issued in September 2023 for lighting and bathroom-related problems, as well as concerns about doors and windows.

While there have been regular rodent inspections and some compliance requirements met, the pattern of violations suggests ongoing maintenance challenges. However, it's worth noting that the building has consistently reported zero bedbug infestations in its annual filings since 2019, indicating effective pest management in this regard. The most recent 311 service request from January 2025 regarding flooring/stairs issues resulted in violations being issued, though this was addressed by March 2025.