21 East 108th Street, Manhattan, NY 10029

The 5-story, 20-unit tenement building at 21 East 108th Street in East Harlem, built in 1910 and currently owned by Thomas Rohlman, has experienced persistent maintenance issues in recent years. As of March 2025, there are multiple open complaints with HPD regarding doors, unsanitary pest conditions, and plumbing issues (specifically toilets), all marked as emergencies. Between 2023 and 2024, the building underwent several inspections revealing various maintenance problems, particularly in Apartment 2D, which was cited for issues including broken plaster surfaces, defective doors, and improper wall conditions.

Notably, there was a concerning situation in 2020 involving illegal conversions of Apartment 4D, resulting in multiple serious violations regarding fire safety systems, means of egress, and occupancy compliance, though these violations were subsequently resolved. The building has also been under scrutiny for structural issues, with a 2024 complaint about building stability and active violations for facade cracks as of December 2024. The property has maintained a generally clean record regarding pest control, with no bedbug infestations reported in the past three years and only one recorded case in 2019.

Rodent inspections show mixed results, with periodic rat activity noted between 2022 and 2023, though recent inspections in 2024 and 2025 have passed without issues. The building's maintenance history suggests ongoing challenges with basic infrastructure, as evidenced by the repeated nature of door-related complaints and plumbing issues, which continue to be reported as unresolved. The multiple emergency complaints currently open, particularly regarding doors and unsanitary conditions, indicate persistent maintenance challenges that require attention.