561 West 144th Street, Manhattan, NY 10031

561 West 144th Street is a 5-story, 20-unit "New Law Tenement" building constructed in 1910, currently owned by 561 W 144 Realty LLC. The property has experienced numerous maintenance issues in 2025, with multiple HPD violations issued in May 2025, including problems with plumbing fixtures (basins/sinks, bathtubs/showers), pest infestations, mold, wall conditions, and flooring issues. Apartment 41, which has been a recurring focus of violations, was documented in September 2024 to have multiple maintenance problems including water leaks, pest infestations (mice and roaches), and various repair needs in the bathroom, kitchen, and hallway. The building's recent history shows persistent pest and sanitation challenges, with the most recent bedbug infestation reported in December 2023 and recurring evidence of rat activity noted in multiple inspections throughout 2023-2024.

Environmental violations from 2023 indicate serious safety concerns, with an active ECB violation regarding prohibited door hardware affecting access to Apartment 31. There have also been historical issues with illegal occupancy conversions, particularly regarding Apartment 22 in 2021, resulting in multiple violations related to fire safety systems and means of egress. While recent rodent inspections in early 2025 passed, previous inspections throughout 2024 showed varying levels of rodent activity, and multiple HPD violations in 2025 suggest ongoing maintenance challenges that require monitoring. The building has a documented history of maintenance issues requiring attention, including problems with building systems and resident safety features. Multiple housing maintenance code violations have been issued, particularly concentrated in Apartment 41, which has shown ongoing issues with water leaks, pest infestations, mold, and various infrastructure problems.

While some violations from 2021 regarding illegal occupancy and fire safety have been resolved, the building has continued to experience routine maintenance challenges that affect resident comfort and safety. The property has also had periodic bedbug infestations, though these appear to have been successfully addressed in most cases. Of note, recent complaints filed in 2025 indicate various maintenance issues across the building, including plumbing problems, intercom system failures, and issues with floor conditions, pest infestations, and walls requiring repair. The building's history includes both emergency and non-emergency violations, suggesting a pattern of maintenance challenges that affect resident quality of life. The presence of multiple active and recently closed violations indicates ongoing management and maintenance concerns that warrant attention.