617 West 142nd Street, Manhattan, NY 10031

The three-story, three-unit building at 617 West 142nd Street in Hamilton Heights, owned by Ming Cheung, has experienced several significant maintenance issues over the past few years, most notably in 2021-2022. During this period, there were multiple heat and hot water complaints, including an emergency situation in January 2022 that required HPD intervention. A serious safety concern was raised in July 2021 regarding the fire escape, and multiple violations were documented during inspections, including issues with mold in a bathroom, a slow water leak, and various building maintenance problems.

Specifically, violations were noted for broken plastered surfaces and paint issues in Apartment 1, as well as problems with the building's sprinkler system and boiler room door. In 2021, an Environmental Control Board violation was issued regarding illegal occupancy and improper use of the cellar space, which remains active with a penalty of $1,250. The building's more recent history shows some improvement in maintenance conditions, with no reported bedbug infestations since 2020 and consistently passing rodent inspections from 2016 through 2025.

The most recent bedbug reports for 2023-2025 show zero infested units, and the building has maintained a clean record in terms of pest control. The property has undergone several permitted work activities since 2018, primarily related to electrical and plumbing systems, though specific details of these improvements are not provided in the records. While the building has experienced various maintenance challenges, the absence of recent heating issues and successful rodent inspections suggest some stabilization of conditions, though the active ECB violation regarding cellar occupancy remains a potential concern.