518 West 136th Street, Manhattan, NY 10031

The 6-story, 24-unit apartment building at 518 West 136th Street in Hamilton Heights, owned by Akari Shimura and constructed in 1905, has experienced numerous maintenance issues in recent years, with the most pressing concerns currently being reported as unsanitary conditions including mold, pests, and cabinet issues as of June 2025. The building has a troubling history of pest infestations, with multiple complaints and violations related to rodents and cockroaches, particularly affecting Apartment 17 on the 5th floor.

Between 2024 and 2025, there have been several open and closed complaints regarding unsanitary conditions, including mold (which has been classified as an emergency condition), water leaks, and various apartment maintenance issues. The building has also faced significant code violations and safety concerns, particularly noted in 2018 when illegal hotel room operations were cited, along with failures to maintain proper egress and fire safety systems, resulting in multiple Environmental Control Board violations with monetary penalties ranging from $620 to $8,000. More recent issues include open violations from 2024 regarding flooring repairs and door issues in Apartment 7, as well as an active violation for failure to file the 2018 external low pressure inspection.

Despite these challenges, the building has maintained compliance with the Bedbug Reporting system, showing zero infested units reported from 2022 to 2025, though there have been consistent rodent activity reports with multiple inspections showing rat activity from 2023 through 2025, indicating ongoing pest management challenges. The property has undergone various repair and maintenance work through permitted jobs, with records showing multiple permits issued in 2018-2019 for electrical work and other improvements. While some violations have been closed through proper remediation, including critical violations related to pest infestations in Apartment 17, there remain several active issues as of 2025 that require attention, particularly focusing on building sanitation and maintenance matters.