56 East 131st Street, Manhattan, NY 10037

56 East 131st Street is a 6-story, 40-unit residential building in East Harlem, constructed in 2009 and currently owned by David Rowe. The building has experienced ongoing maintenance challenges since 2023, with multiple complaints regarding its elevator system, which is noted as a "Single Device on Property/No Alternate Service" category, most recently with an active complaint from April 2025. There are also significant ongoing violations related to elevator brake maintenance, with an active penalty of $6,250 imposed in July 2024.

The building has faced recurring issues with its heating system, with multiple complaints about lack of heat or hot water in 2024-2025, though inspections were unable to access units for verification. Recent plumbing problems have been documented, particularly affecting toilets and sinks, with violations issued in 2025. The building's electrical systems have generated multiple complaints as well, with emergency responses required for no lighting situations. In terms of safety and habitability, the building has open violations from 2024 related to various apartments, including concerns about water closet flushing apparatus, door self-closing mechanisms, and security systems.

Rodent activity has been documented in multiple inspections between 2022-2025, with recent inspections in 2025 showing "Rat Activity" as the result. Environmental control board violations from 2024-2025 indicate issues with the elevator maintenance records and service status. The building's management has also faced challenges with timely resolution of violations, as evidenced by multiple open violations related to energy efficiency requirements and failure to certify corrections for immediately hazardous conditions. While bedbug reports from 2022-2023 show no infestations, the building's overall maintenance record suggests ongoing challenges with building systems and prompt resolution of tenant complaints.