431 East 86th Street, Manhattan, NY 10028

The seven-story, 60-unit residential building at 431 East 86th Street, owned by Elvin Blanco and constructed in 1910, has experienced recurring maintenance issues in recent years. Most notably, there has been an ongoing rodent problem, with multiple rat sightings and confirmed rodent activity documented through 2025, despite inspection attempts and bait applications by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Water-related issues have also been a significant concern, with multiple complaints about slow and heavy leaks between late 2024 and early 2025, though HPD inspectors were often unable to gain access for evaluation.

The building has faced several housing maintenance code violations, including a certified mouse infestation in apartment 5J (2022), electrical issues including exposed wiring (2024), and problems with plumbing and heating systems between 2020-2021. The property has maintained an active bedbug-free record since 2019, with no reported infestations in any units. Recent building management has been challenged by compliance issues, including two active violations from November 2024 related to expired sidewalk shed/ scaffold permits and electrical safety concerns, with penalties totaling $1,870.

Historical violations show a pattern of inadequate maintenance responses, particularly regarding access for inspections. Noteworthy past violations include unauthorized construction work in 2020-2021 involving the removal of fire-stopping materials in apartment 3B and various repair issues in the basement area. The building's management has generally addressed violations when required, as evidenced by the resolution of most previous citations, though some violations from 2020-2021 remain open in department records. Recent rodent control efforts continue, with multiple inspections showing consistent rodent activity through 2025 despite previous periods of passing inspections.