331 East 81st Street, Manhattan, NY 10028

The 6-story, 14-unit old law tenement building at 331 East 81st Street, built in 1910 and currently owned by Foglia Inc, has experienced several concerning maintenance issues in recent years. Most notably, there have been recurring problems with heat and hot water systems, including an emergency complaint in December 2023 affecting the entire building and a more recent water supply issue in March 2025 that prevented HPD inspectors from completing their evaluation. The building has an ongoing open violation as of July 2023 regarding ceiling paint and roof repairs in the 6F foyer area.

Between February and August 2023, multiple violations were recorded and subsequently closed, including issues with roofing, water leaks, electrical wiring, and various door problems, though some were resolved without penalties. The elevator system has been a recurring concern, with multiple complaints about "No Alternate Service" documented between 2019 and 2025, leading to violations and fines, including a Class 1 violation in March 2023 that cost $1,250. While the building has maintained an apparently pest-free environment according to bedbug reports from 2021 through 2024, there were significant rat activity concerns noted in 2017, followed by several years of passing inspections.

Recent work has included addressing water-related violations, though not all problems seem fully resolved, as evidenced by the continuing open violations from 2022-2023. The building's maintenance history indicates a pattern of systemic issues, particularly with major utilities like heat/hot water and the elevator system, though some improvements have been made over time. The property has maintained regular compliance with bedbug reporting requirements and most rodent inspections have shown passing results since 2019, suggesting improvements in pest management strategies compared to earlier years.