1396 Madison Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10029

The 28-unit, 6-story building at 1396 Madison Avenue in East Harlem, owned by Bita Sassouni, has experienced several concerning issues in recent years, particularly related to maintenance and resident comfort. Most notably, there have been recurring problems with heat and hot water, with emergency complaints filed in both early 2023 and throughout 2022, though in some cases, these issues were reported as resolved upon inspection. The building has also faced challenges with air quality, evidenced by multiple complaints in 2023-2024 regarding chemical vapors and other indoor air quality concerns.

A concerning rodent issue was recorded in May 2024, with the Department of Health issuing violations that prompted follow-up inspections. While more recent rodent inspections in 2025 have passed, there was significant rodent activity noted in late 2023. The building's maintenance history reveals several structural and safety concerns, including roofing issues documented in 2021 that required attention. Multiple violations were recorded in 2022 regarding fire safety features, including problems with the fire escape, self-closing doors, and fire retardant materials.

The building has consistently maintained bedbug-free status according to annual reporting, with zero infested units recorded in the past several years. Recent inspections through 2025 have generally shown compliance, including successful rodent inspections and the resolution of various safety violations. While there have been construction-related incidents, including a Stop Work Order in 2020, this was fully rescinded in early 2025, indicating improved regulatory compliance. The property's documented history suggests ongoing attention to maintenance issues, with varying degrees of promptness in addressing resident complaints, though recent years show a trend towards improved compliance and resolution of violations.