649 Lenox Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10037

The 6-story, 15-unit tenement building at 649 Lenox Avenue in Harlem, owned by Harim Hutson and constructed in 1920, has experienced several notable incidents in recent years that warrant attention. Most recently, in April 2025, there were complaints regarding lack of heat and hot water throughout the entire building, though HPD was unable to gain access for inspection.

This follows a pattern of heating and maintenance issues, including a smoking violation in late 2023 that required intervention from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The building has also faced rodent-related challenges, with two rat sightings reported in late 2021 and early 2022, though only the 2022 incident resulted in violations requiring follow-up inspections. These health and safety concerns are particularly significant given their potential impact on resident well-being.

The building's regulatory history includes a 2019 violation for failing to file the required FISP Cycle 8C technical report by the February 2019 deadline, though this was eventually dismissed in May 2022 after the report was submitted. In 2024, there was a Department of Buildings inspection that resulted in no violations being found at that time. While the building has passed some inspections and had certain violations resolved, the recent heat/hot water complaints and smoking violation suggest ongoing maintenance and safety challenges that require monitoring.