316 West 97th Street, Manhattan, NY 10025

316 West 97th Street is a 6-story New Law Single Room Occupancy building constructed in 1906 and currently owned by Joel Shafran. The property has been experiencing significant maintenance challenges in recent months, particularly regarding heat and hot water systems, which received multiple emergency complaints between April and May 2025, some resulting in violations. More recently, between June 2025 and July 2025, the building has faced a cluster of concerning issues, including multiple unsanitary conditions related to pests, electricity problems (no lighting), plumbing issues (toilet), and problems with the electric/gas range, though inspections revealed none of these conditions violated HPD's housing laws. The building has an ongoing rodent infestation issue, as evidenced by multiple rat activity reports and bait application inspections throughout 2025.

The property has a documented history of infrastructure and safety concerns, with six Class C housing violations identified in 2024 regarding defective fire doors in public hallways, though these were subsequently closed. These doors were found to have either defective hinges or other issues. Additional violations from 2024 included broken ceramic tiles in a community bathroom and defective metal cornices at the building front. While several complaints about electrical wiring defects were made in 2024 and 2025, inspections consistently found no violations warranting action.

The building's elevator system has also been a recurring concern, with multiple complaints about single device operation and safety features, though recent inspections in 2023 and 2024 typically found no violations or resulted in OATH violations being served. The property has maintained a clean record regarding bedbug infestations over the past several years, with no reported cases between 2019 and 2025. A rodent inspection conducted in July 2025 confirmed the presence of rat activity, indicating an ongoing pest control challenge. The building's plumbing and heating systems have required particular attention, with multiple emergency complaints and violations suggesting these systems are in need of regular monitoring and maintenance.