279 West 118th Street, Manhattan, NY 10026

The 5-story, 10-unit Old Law Tenement building at 279 West 118th Street in Harlem, currently owned by Kiumarz Geula and built in 1910, has experienced recurring maintenance issues over the past two years, with particular problems related to heating and plumbing systems. Most significantly, there have been multiple heat and hot water complaints through 2023-2024, including an unresolved December 2024 complaint about lack of heat/hot water in the entire building.

The building has also faced various plumbing issues, with multiple complaints in 2024 regarding sinks, toilets, and radiators, many of which resulted in emergency designations. Violations from December 2023 remain open, including issues with the building's heating system access and a lack of adequate heating and hot water supply, particularly affecting Apartment 1B.

Recent inspections have revealed several open violations that could impact resident comfort and safety, including a defective building entrance door latch (Class C violation) and multiple issues in Apartment 5A concerning ceiling leaks and kitchen cabinet problems. Although the building has maintained compliance with bedbug reporting requirements since 2019, the property has experienced ongoing rodent issues, with several initial inspections between 2023-2025 showing "Rat Activity," though recent April 2025 inspections have passed. The building's maintenance history shows a pattern of accessibility issues for inspectors, particularly in 2024 when multiple complaints regarding electrical and plumbing problems could not be evaluated due to lack of access.