53 East 131st Street, Manhattan, NY 10037

This six-story, 28-unit building at 53 East 131st Street in East Harlem, owned by Christopher Cirillo, has experienced several recurring maintenance issues since its 2008 construction, with particular concerns in recent months. Most notably, the building has faced multiple elevator outages, with numerous complaints about "Single Device on Property/No Alternate Service" between 2024-2025, resulting in several Environmental Control Board (ECB) violations with significant penalties totaling over $20,000. The elevator situation reached critical status in 2024-2025, with the elevator system being out of service for extended periods affecting mobility for residents, especially those with disabilities.

Recent health and safety concerns include a mouse sighting in June 2025, violations for inadequate heat and hot water in May 2025, and multiple plumbing issues documented throughout 2024-2025, including slow and heavy water leaks, and problems with sinks, toilets, and electrical systems. A December 2024 inspection of Apartment 4C revealed multiple violations including visible mold conditions and pest infestations, while similar issues were documented in Apartment 1B. The building's maintenance record shows a pattern of access issues during inspections, with several complaints being closed due to inspectors' inability to gain entry.

Recent rodent inspections have shown mixed results, with the most recent in June 2025 failing for "Other Reasons." The property appears to have maintained an effective control over bedbug infestations, as no units have been reported as infested in official filings since at least 2020. The building's maintenance history reveals ongoing challenges with basic systems and infrastructure, including a period of inadequate heating and hot water supply in 2025, persistent plumbing issues, and elevator service interruptions. While some recent violations have been addressed, there remains a pattern of unresolved maintenance issues requiring attention. The property has consistently filed bedbug reports showing no infestations since 2020, and rodent inspections have shown varying levels of pest activity, with an active infestation noted in June 2025.