505 West 158th Street, Manhattan, NY 10032

The 10-unit, 5-story Old Law Tenement building at 505 West 158th Street in Washington Heights, constructed in 1896 and currently owned by Doodnath Ramdhanie, has experienced several recurring maintenance issues over the past few years. Most notably, there are active violations regarding the failure to file external low-pressure inspections for multiple years (2018-2021, 2022, and 2023), with the most recent violation issued in June 2023. The building has faced consistent challenges with heating and hot water systems, particularly evident in 2021 and early 2019, with multiple complaints filed regarding both whole-building and apartment-specific issues.

Recent 2025 complaints indicate problems with safety equipment (carbon monoxide and smoke detectors), while earlier 2025 complaints revealed various maintenance issues including electrical problems, ceiling plaster concerns, and evidence of mold. Historical records show the building has had persistent water-related issues, with complaints about leaks in 2019 (both heavy flow and slow leaks), and ventilation problems noted in 2020-2021. Multiple heating system complaints were recorded in 2021 alone, and there have been repeated accessibility issues for inspection teams, as documented in several complaint resolutions.

The building has also faced challenges with interior maintenance, as evidenced by multiple violations regarding wall and ceiling plaster conditions, and a notable issue with a free-standing radiator in the first-story public hall (violation class C) from 2021. While the building has maintained passing rodent inspection results consistently from 2014 through 2024, the pattern of violations and complaints suggests ongoing maintenance challenges that impact resident quality of life. The most recent inspections in 2024 noted open bedbug reporting violations from 2021-2024, indicating administrative compliance issues in addition to the building's physical maintenance needs.