260 Convent Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10031

The 10-story, 62-unit residential building at 260 Convent Avenue, owned by Mark Scharfman and constructed in 1912, has experienced numerous maintenance and compliance issues in recent years. Most notably, in 2025, the building has ongoing concerns with water leaks (both slow and heavy flow) and ceiling paint/plaster problems, with multiple 311 service requests remaining open as of June 2025. There have been recurring issues with heat/hot water availability throughout 2025, particularly affecting the entire building, though HPD was unable to gain access for inspections on several occasions. The building also experienced significant pest control challenges, including reports of rodent infestations in multiple units, with violations recorded in 2023-2024 and evidence of rat activity noted in multiple inspections between late 2023 and 2025.

The property has a history of various building code violations and maintenance issues, including water supply problems, window frame concerns, and electrical power outages. Compliance inspections from 2024-2025 have shown mixed results, with rodent activity being detected in multiple inspections. Notable historical issues include multiple Health Department violations related to garbage storage (2025), and various Department of Buildings concerns regarding facade maintenance, construction violations, and elevator safety between 2019-2024. The building's management has been cited for failing to maintain proper documentation and compliance with various NYC building codes, resulting in penalties and violations.

Recent facade issues were documented in 2023-2024, with violations for cracked masonry and other exterior maintenance concerns, though these were eventually resolved. The property has shown some efforts at maintaining compliance with safety regulations, as evidenced by multiple permit issuances between 2019-2020 for various maintenance and repair work, though there have been instances of non-compliance with immediate hazardous violations. The building's management has also faced scrutiny for not properly addressing several urgent maintenance issues, particularly during the winter months when heat and hot water complaints surged in 2025. While some violations have been resolved and conditions improved, the building continues to experience recurring maintenance challenges that affect resident quality of life.