520 West 159th Street, Manhattan, NY 10032

The five-story residential building at 520 West 159th Street in Washington Heights, owned by Yvonne Stennett, has experienced persistent maintenance issues since its construction in 2009. Most notably, 2025 has seen a concerning pattern of water-related problems, with multiple complaints about heavy water flow and mold, particularly in June 2025. The building has also faced recurring air quality concerns, including chemical vapors in May 2025 and multiple mold-related complaints.

Housing Maintenance Code violations from late 2024 indicate ongoing issues in Apartment 3D, including problems with pest infestation (specifically roaches), heating, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors, though many violations have since been closed. The building's systems and infrastructure have come under scrutiny in recent years, with multiple Department of Buildings complaints regarding the elevator system (2024), electrical wiring (2024), and an inadequate sprinkler system (2023). An Environmental Control Board violation from 2022-2023 and a DOB violation regarding door lock monitoring from 2020 remain active, with a $1,250 penalty still due.

While the building has maintained a relatively consistent record of rodent inspections passing since 2015, there have been some failures in 2024. Bedbug reports show only one incident in 2019, which was promptly addressed, and subsequent annual reports through 2024 indicate no further infestations. The building's relatively recent construction date of 2009 contrasts with its many maintenance challenges, suggesting ongoing difficulties with building systems and resident comfort.