505 West 161st Street, Manhattan, NY 10032

The 30-unit, 6-story New Law Tenement at 505 West 161st Street in Washington Heights, built in 1922 and currently owned by Douglas Peterson, has experienced recurring maintenance challenges over recent years, particularly relating to pest control and heating systems. Most notably, the building has faced persistent pest issues, with multiple complaints in 2025 alone, including open violations as recently as June 2025. A pattern of heating system problems emerged in early 2025, with numerous emergency complaints regarding heat and hot water outages across the building, though some of these complaints were duplicates of previously reported issues.

The building's pest management history shows ongoing rodent issues, with failed inspections in 2025 and multiple instances of bait application in 2022. The property has demonstrated a history of various maintenance concerns that have required attention over the years. In 2021, there were significant issues with cockroach infestation in Apartment 2, and multiple violations in 2018 regarding water leaks, damaged plaster, and an improperly maintained bathtub in Apartment 55.

Building-wide concerns have included blocked fire escapes due to flower pots and a gas range left in a public hallway, both documented in 2022. While the building has undergone some repairs and remediation efforts, as evidenced by the closing of certain violations, the recurring nature of heating, pest, and maintenance issues suggests ongoing challenges with building upkeep. The property's bedbug reporting history shows no reported infestations from 2017 through 2023, indicating this particular issue has been managed successfully.