149 East 123rd Street, Manhattan, NY 10035

The five-story, 12-unit tenement building at 149 East 123rd Street in East Harlem, owned by Walter Roberts, has experienced significant maintenance challenges over the past year and a half. Most concerning is a recent smoking/vaping complaint from June 2025 currently under investigation by the Department of Health. The building has faced multiple heat and hot water issues in 2024-2025, with emergency complaints filed for both whole-building and individual apartment systems, though some were subsequently closed after inspections.

There are several open housing maintenance code violations from April 2024 primarily affecting apartment 5A, including issues with mold, window repairs, and bathroom fixtures. The building has shown persistent rodent activity, with multiple inspections throughout 2024-2025 confirming the presence of rats, though bait has been applied in response to these findings. Additional concerns include recent complaints about ceiling conditions (March 2025) and various appliance issues (including a documented Section 8 Failure in March 2025 regarding the electric/gas range). The property has a notable history of maintenance requests, with multiple HPD and 311 complaints logged throughout 2024-2025.

These include recurring issues with heating systems, appliance problems, and building maintenance concerns. The building's infrastructure shows significant wear, with open violations as of December 2024 regarding self-closing doors, dryer encumbrances, and various repair needs. While recent bedbug reports from 2022-2025 show no infestation problems, the building continues to grapple with basic maintenance and safety concerns, particularly regarding heating systems and pest control. The Department of Buildings and Housing Maintenance Code systems show multiple open violations as of mid-2025, indicating ongoing compliance challenges that impact resident comfort and safety.