2159 1st Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10029

The 6-story, 30-unit Old Law Tenement building at 2159 1st Avenue in East Harlem, owned by Eduardo Martinez and constructed in 1920, has experienced several notable maintenance and safety issues in recent years. Most concerning is an active rodent infestation citation from August 2024 in apartment 6E, though there have been multiple compliance passes and rat activity reports in the months leading up to this finding. The building has also faced recurring issues with its life safety systems, including multiple violations for defective smoke detectors and a carbon monoxide detector in apartment 6E, and a similar problem in apartment 3B, all documented in August 2024.

Plumbing issues were recently reported in August 2024 regarding a bathtub/shower, but HPD was unable to inspect the conditions. The property has a documented history of unsanitary conditions, with multiple mold complaints investigated and dismissed by HPD in late 2022, though no violations were issued. Building systems maintenance has been inconsistent, with the most recent Department of Buildings violation from September 2024 regarding failure to file the 2023 external low-pressure inspection.

While the building has maintained a zero count for bedbug infestations in its recent reporting periods from 2022 through 2025, the presence of pests has been an ongoing concern, as evidenced by a 2021 violation for roach infestation in apartment 1E. The elevator system also appears to have historical issues, with a 2019 violation for failure to correct defects noted during inspection. Though compliance inspections have been generally passing, the pattern of recurring violations and maintenance issues suggests ongoing challenges with building systems and pest control.