256 West 117th Street, Manhattan, NY 10026

The 5-story, 50-unit tenement building at 256 West 117th Street in Harlem, built in 1910 and currently owned by Attiya Settle, has experienced numerous maintenance issues in recent years, with the most pressing concerns emerging in 2025. There are multiple open complaints from April 2025 regarding building systems and infrastructure, including problems with windows, intercom systems, plumbing (bathtub/shower issues), wall conditions (paint/plaster), and pest-related concerns. Notably, there are currently eight open Housing Maintenance Code complaints that require owner intervention.

The building has a history of maintenance challenges that continues to the present day, with recent violations including an infestation of roaches in apartment 53E (July 2024), multiple repair needs in 53E including issues with floors, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide devices, and ongoing concerns about fitness-for-habitation standards in various units. The property has several active Department of Buildings violations as of 2023-2024 related to energy efficiency reporting requirements, including failure to file benchmarking reports and display energy efficiency scores. Historical records show previous concerns about unauthorized construction work and occupancy issues, though these complaints were ultimately resolved.

There is a persistent pattern of rodent activity documented through multiple inspections between 2023 and 2025, with consistent applications of bait and reports of activity. While there were no reported bedbug infestations in the most recent five reporting periods (2020-2024), the building's overall maintenance record suggests ongoing challenges with building systems and tenant comfort. The property has also accrued multiple open violations related to the condition of walls, floors, and building systems, indicating a pattern of deferred maintenance that impacts resident quality of life.