226 East 81st Street, Manhattan, NY 10028

226 East 81st Street, a 5-story, 20-unit old law tenement building located in the Upper East Side and owned by Frankie Bones, has experienced several significant maintenance and safety issues over the past two years. Most recently, in May 2025, multiple appliance-related complaints were filed including problems with electric/gas ranges and a refrigerator, several of which remain open.

The building has faced recurring heat and hot water issues, with complaints in January and December 2024, and multiple water leak complaints from September to December 2024, suggesting ongoing maintenance challenges. An inspection in August 2023 revealed multiple safety concerns in the 1st story public hall, including exposed electrical wires, defective light fixtures, and damaged fire retardant materials, though these violations were subsequently certified as corrected by September 2023. The property has a documented history of pest control challenges, including rodent activity consistently reported between 2023 and 2025, with multiple inspections showing rat activity.

Additionally, there were significant violations related to unauthorized cellar apartment usage in 2022-2023, resulting in ECB fines, though some of these violations have since been resolved. The building's management has struggled with providing access for inspections and repairs, as evidenced by multiple "unable to gain access" notations on various complaints between 2022 and 2024. While the building has maintained a bedbug-free record in recent inspections, with no reported infestations since 2020, the persistent appliance, water, and rodent issues suggest ongoing maintenance challenges within the property.