153 East 99th Street, Manhattan, NY 10029

The five-story tenement building at 153 East 99th Street in East Harlem, owned by Us Manhattan II Housing Corp, has a documented history of maintenance issues, particularly regarding heating and plumbing systems. Most concerning is the recent pattern of heating system problems, with the latest heat/hot water complaint filed in December 2024 representing the eighth such incident in the past seven years, continuing an evident pattern of HVAC system reliability challenges. Additionally, there have been several water-related issues, including a slow leak that was reported in October 2023 and a bathtub/shower plumbing issue from February 2024.

The building has faced some structural and safety concerns, as evidenced by two open violations from 2019: a Class C violation for water leak repairs in Apartment 3C and a Class A violation regarding a fire escape ladder shoe requirement. The property has demonstrated good pest management practices, with no bedbug infestations reported in the past five years and only one incident noted in 2018 that was marked as resolved. While rodent inspections have shown variable results, with some inspections noting rat activity, particularly in mid-2024, recent inspections in 2025 and late 2024 have passed. The building's compliance history shows attention to addressing violations when they occur, though the recurring nature of heat system complaints suggests an ongoing challenge with mechanical systems maintenance.

The most recent Department of Buildings violation from 2019 regarding an unfiled boiler inspection report was dismissed in 2020 with a penalty paid, indicating that the management generally addresses building code requirements when identified. The building's systems have been responsive to various maintenance requests, with most complaints receiving attention from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). However, there have been instances where inspectors were unable to gain access to units for inspection, as noted in multiple complaints, including the most recent heat/hot water issue from December 2024. Beyond these persistent maintenance issues, the building has not exhibited other significant systemic problems and has passed routine inspections for various components, including fire safety systems.