521 West 144th Street, Manhattan, NY 10031

521 West 144th Street is a 5-story, 15-unit New Law Tenement building located in Hamilton Heights and constructed in 1880, currently owned by Stanley Celius. The property has experienced persistent heating and hot water issues throughout 2024-2025, with multiple emergency complaints recorded in May 2025 alone, following similar complaints dating back to late 2024. These heat and hot water problems appear to affect both individual apartments and the entire building, with some complaints remaining difficult to investigate due to access issues.

The building also faces several concerning safety and maintenance issues, particularly in apartment 3C, where as of September 2024 there are open violations regarding a water leak, missing carbon monoxide detectors, and required window guard repairs, along with lead paint concerns that had previously been marked as resolved. Additional violations noted include unsanitary conditions in the garbage/recycling storage areas, a defective door latch in the public hall, and various safety system deficiencies such as non-functioning smoke detectors and intercom issues affecting multiple floors. The property's maintenance history shows some progress in addressing pest control, with recent inspections in 2024 showing passed results and bait applications for rat activity between July 2023 and April 2024.

Bedbug reports indicate no infestations or required remediation from 2019 through 2025. While there have been several housing maintenance code violations documented, many have been closed following inspections or corrective actions, though some remain open as of the latest inspection dates. The building's management appears to be actively responding to maintenance issues, as evidenced by the closure of numerous complaints after investigation or correction, but the recurring nature of heating system problems and ongoing safety violations suggests some challenges in achieving consistent building-wide maintenance standards.