137 West 136th Street, Manhattan, NY 10030

The 4-story, 1910 brownstone located at 137 West 136th Street in Harlem, currently owned by Ahmed Barry, presents several significant concerns. Most notably, there are multiple rat sighting complaints, with the most recent being reported in April 2024, and an active rodent issue that persisted despite inspections in 2023. The building has persistent issues with compliance, evidenced by four open Class A Housing Maintenance Code violations related to annual bedbug reporting between 2021-2024.

Recent Department of Buildings (DOB) complaints and violations from 2024 highlight serious safety concerns, including electrical wiring issues, a vacate order, and multiple failed inspection attempts. Two critical Environmental Control Board (ECB) violations from June 2024 involve sprinkler system maintenance and illegal occupancy as a mosque, with penalties totaling $5,280. The property has a pattern of work without permits and occupancy violations dating back to 2019, including unauthorized interior modifications and use changes between residential and religious functions.

Despite these ongoing issues, there have been some recent improvements, with the building passing rodent inspections in 2024-2025, though previous inspections in 2023 showed rat activity. The building's history shows a concerning pattern of health and safety violations, with many complaints being closed due to inspectors' inability to gain access or because they were addressed in earlier inspections. While the property has technically met some recent compliance requirements, the persistence of violations over multiple years suggests ongoing management and maintenance challenges. The building's complex history indicates both residential and religious use, with significant concerns about unauthorized modifications and occupancy changes that have resulted in multiple violations and penalties.