312 West 121st Street, Manhattan, NY 10027

The five-story, 15-unit converted Old Law tenement building at 312 West 121st Street in Harlem, owned by Jay Newhouse and constructed in 1901, has experienced several recurring maintenance issues in recent years. Most notably, there have been persistent rodent activity concerns, with inspections in 2025 showing ongoing rat presence despite previous inspections passing. Recent housing code violations were documented in late 2024 and mid-2023, primarily affecting apartment 4A, including issues with bathtub repair, wall painting, and kitchen cabinet maintenance.

The building has a history of water-related problems, with multiple complaints about leaks recorded between 2023 and 2024, including heavy flow and damp spots. Repairs have been documented through HPD inspections, though some violations were initially noted in areas like door/windwows and the bell/buzzer/intercom system. The property has experienced periodic heat and hot water system problems, with emergency complaints recorded in late 2021 and 2022.

Recent inspections in 2023-2025 have consistently shown rat activity, with six inspections between June 2023 and July 2025 noting this issue. However, the building has demonstrated compliance with bedbug reporting requirements, showing no infestations since 2019. A violation regarding the failure to file the 2022 external low-pressure inspection was issued in April 2023 and remains active as of October 2023. The building's owner has taken steps to address various maintenance issues, as evidenced by multiple repair and violation certification dates, though some problems appear to persist based on recent inspection results.