409 West 129th Street, Manhattan, NY 10027

This 6-story, 48-unit New Law tenement building located at 409 West 129th Street in Harlem, owned by Shmuel Finkelstein, has experienced persistent maintenance and safety issues over the past few years. Most concerning are the recent heating system problems, with multiple complaints of building-wide heat and hot water failures in 2024-2025, including in April 2025 when HPD closed complaints that were duplicates of an already reported issue.

The building has also faced significant pest control challenges, with six documented instances of pest infestations between 2020 and 2024, most recently in December 2024 affecting four units, with previous infestations including both mice and roaches in Apartment 25. Multiple housing maintenance code violations remain open as of late 2024, including issues with water leaks, ceiling and wall damage, and interior maintenance concerns. The elevator has been a recurring issue, with several complaints about service outages between 2020 and 2024, including multiple "No Alternate Service" violations.

The building's boiler system has also presented concerns, with violations recorded in 2023 for corrosion and wiring issues, and a hazardous condition violation in January 2024 that required immediate repair. Recent inspections have consistently identified rat activity, with the most recent compliance inspection in July 2025 confirming ongoing infestation problems. While there have been some improvements and resolutions to various issues, including elevator repairs and some completed repairs noted in 2024-2025, many significant maintenance and safety concerns persist, suggesting ongoing challenges with building management and maintenance procedures.