529 West 135th Street, Manhattan, NY 10031

The five-story, 15-unit New Law Tenement building at 529 West 135th Street in Hamilton Heights, built in 1910 and currently owned by Sean He, has experienced several significant maintenance and safety issues in recent years. The building has faced recurring problems with heat and hot water systems, particularly in early 2024 when multiple complaints were filed regarding these systems affecting the entire building. Several apartments (1B and 2B) were found to have multiple violations related to safety devices in January 2024, including defective smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, along with an infestation issue involving roaches in apartment 2B.

The building has also experienced plumbing issues, particularly with toilets, as evidenced by multiple HPD complaints between 2023 and 2024. Recent health and safety inspections have shown mixed results, with the most recent rodent inspection in May 2025 passing, but previous inspections in late 2024 failed for various reasons, including rat activity. The building's condition appears to be improving somewhat, with no bedbug infestations reported in the past three years (2022-2025).

A recent complaint about smoking in a smoke-free area was closed in July 2025. Historical data shows some concerns with building access during inspections, as several complaints required re-filing due to inspectors being unable to gain entry to units. While the building has had its share of maintenance challenges, recent inspections suggest some improvements in overall conditions, though several open violations from early 2024 related to safety systems and previous pest issues remain noteworthy.