422 St Nicholas Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10027

The 5-story, 10-unit residential building at 422 St Nicholas Avenue in Harlem, owned by Frank Tabaroki, has experienced numerous maintenance issues since 2020. Most notably, there have been recurring heat and hot water problems, with three reported incidents since 2024, including an entire building complaint in January 2025 that HPD could not inspect. Water-related issues have been a significant concern, with multiple leak complaints including a heavy flow situation in late 2022 and a slow leak in early 2024.

A disturbing pattern of unsanitary conditions has emerged, including mold (2024), sewage problems (2022), and pest infestations (2022), though inspections were often unable to be completed. The building's infrastructure has faced various challenges, including a power outage in early 2023 and ventilation system concerns in 2022. Recent inspections have revealed several serious violations, including problems with building security (defective entrance doors), heating system access issues, and concrete defects on the front steps discovered during a 2019 inspection.

The building underwent scrutiny for unauthorized modifications, with violations in 2022 concerning illegal conversion of cellar space into additional living units, resulting in fines totaling $4,750. More recently, a partial stop work order was issued in 2024 regarding plumbing issues, and there is currently an active DOB violation related to a suspended plumber's license. The property has also faced ongoing rodent control challenges, with multiple inspections in 2024 and 2025 documenting rat activity and the application of bait. While the building has maintained a "0" infestation rate in bedbug reports from 2021 through 2024, the frequency of maintenance complaints and violations suggests persistent challenges in building management and maintenance.