101 West 138th Street, Manhattan, NY 10030

101 West 138th Street is a 5-story, 10-unit old-law tenement building in Harlem, owned by Princess Palmer and constructed in 1910. The building has experienced recurring heat and hot water issues, with emergency complaints in March 2025 and December 2024, though inspections in December 2024 found no housing law violations.

A significant cluster of complaints was recorded in February 2024, including concerns about plumbing (bathtub/shower and radiator), electrical outlets, flooring, mold, wall conditions, and safety (fire escape), though all were closed without violations. The building's maintenance record shows persistent problems with building systems, particularly heat and hot water supply, including multiple HPD violations in 2021-2022 related to hot water availability and heating system access. In terms of structural and safety concerns, the building has faced challenges with its sidewalk shed system, with multiple DOB complaints in 2023-2024 noting inadequate maintenance and expired permits, resulting in active ECB violations with significant penalties totaling over $17,000.

Recent rodent inspections show ongoing pest management challenges, with rat activity recorded in 2025, 2024, and several instances in 2023, though some inspections have passed in previous years. The building's bedbug reporting indicates no infestations from 2020 through present, suggesting effective management of this particular issue. While the building has had various maintenance issues requiring attention, many complaints have been resolved without formal violations being found upon inspection, though the pattern of repeated heat and hot water complaints suggests this remains a systemic challenge.