535 West 162nd Street, Manhattan, NY 10032

The five-story, 31-unit New Law Tenement building at 535 West 162nd Street in Washington Heights, owned by Carl Zekaria, has experienced recurring maintenance issues in recent years. Most notably, in April 2025, there were multiple complaints and violations related to unsanitary conditions including pests, as well as issues with paint/plaster on walls and flooring problems. A safety-related concern emerged in March 2025 regarding smoke detectors.

The building has also faced persistent pest problems, with multiple bedbug infestation reports between 2018 and 2024, though recent records show some units were successfully eradicated. The property has visible infrastructure challenges, including electrical issues, as evidenced by two complaints about defective/exposed wiring in late 2024 and an active Environmental Control Board violation from November 2024 regarding unauthorized electrical work in apartment #45. The building's maintenance history indicates ongoing structural and safety compliance challenges. There are several open violations from 2024-2025, including a Class C violation regarding defective self-closing doors in apartment 1 and failure to certify correction of an immediately hazardous violation related to electrical work.

While there have been successful rodent inspections in 2024, there were failures noted in late 2023. The building has undergone various inspections and repairs over the years, including responses to emergency flooring issues and electrical concerns. The property has also faced administrative penalties, such as a $1,600 fine for unauthorized electrical work. Current records show improved compliance with inspection requirements, though some open violations remain pending resolution.