354 Lenox Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10027

354 Lenox Avenue is a 5-story, 18-unit old-law tenement building located in Harlem, constructed in 1900 and currently owned by Steven Croman. The building has experienced persistent maintenance and sanitation challenges throughout 2024-2025, with the most pressing issues involving rodent infestations, which have been documented through multiple 311 complaints, HPD violations, and DOHMH inspections showing consistent rat activity throughout 2024 and into 2025. Recent health concerns have emerged as the DOHMH conducted inspections in June 2025, resulting in violations requiring follow-up inspections.

The building's plumbing and sanitation systems have faced numerous problems, including multiple sewage-related violations, water leaks, and mold issues documented between March and April 2025, some of which remain open. These conditions have led to multiple HPD violations and 311 complaints, indicating ongoing maintenance challenges. The building has a history of heating and hot water problems, with violations recorded in late 2024 regarding inadequate heat and hot water supply, particularly affecting apartment 2D.

Safety-related concerns have also been documented, including a March 2025 violation for a defective carbon monoxide detector. The property's maintenance history shows previous issues with building systems, including a 2022 violation regarding a defective boiler and a 2021 complaint about unauthorized work in an occupied multiple dwelling, though these issues were subsequently closed. Recent inspections, including rodent baiting efforts and multiple compliance checks throughout 2024-2025, suggest ongoing efforts to address these persistent problems, though many violations remain active or were recently issued, indicating that comprehensive resolution of these issues is still required. Notably, during the period from 2021 to 2024, the building has maintained a record of having zero documented bedbug infestations, which demonstrates effective pest management in this regard despite the ongoing rodent and sanitation challenges.