537 East 87th Street, Manhattan, NY 10128

The 10-unit, 5-story Old Law Tenement building at 537 East 87th Street, owned by Jonathan Cruz, has experienced several recurring maintenance issues, particularly between 2022-2023. The most significant recent concerns revolve around rodent activity, with multiple complaints and inspections indicating persistent rat presence throughout 2022 and early 2023.

Between February and April 2023 alone, eight inspections were conducted, with initial findings showing rat activity and subsequent bait applications being required. These rodent-related issues prompted inspections by both the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and Housing Preservation and Development, with at least one violation noted during inspections. Other notable issues include two documented slow water leaks in early 2023 (January and February) and a building-wide heat and hot water complaint from November 2019, though in this instance, it was reported that service was restored before inspection completion.

The building's maintenance record also shows compliance with bedbug reporting requirements from 2020 to 2025, with no reported infestations during these periods. A work without permit complaint from July 2022 was investigated but found no violations. While recent inspections have shown some improvement in rodent control (as indicated by bait application), the frequency and persistence of these issues over recent years suggest ongoing challenges with building maintenance and pest control that have required regular intervention by city agencies.