500 West 170th Street, Manhattan, NY 10032

The 18-unit, 5-story New Law Tenement building at 500 West 170th Street in Washington Heights, owned by 500 W 170 Llc, has experienced several significant maintenance issues in recent years. As of mid-2025, there are multiple open complaints regarding doors and a roof hatch (March 2025) and a fire escape (May 2025) safety concerns. The building faced repeated heat and hot water issues in early 2025, with violations issued in January and several complaints about non-functioning systems.

Notably, multiple door-related complaints have been filed throughout 2025, with some classified as emergencies. The fourth-floor apartment (4A) had several documented maintenance issues in late 2024, including problems with water leaks, plaster surfaces, and various repairs needed in both the bathroom and kitchen, for which violations were issued. The building's history shows some concerning patterns, including rodent activity as recently as March 2025, with several bait applications recorded throughout 2024-2025. Safety concerns have been documented through various complaints to the Department of Buildings, including issues with fire escapes and building stability.

Between 2022 and 2024, there were multiple complaints about illegal after-hours work, though inspections generally found no violations. The building underwent several inspections for code compliance, with some violations related to door hardware and safety systems being noted and later addressed. While the building has maintained a zero record for bedbug infestations over the past seven years, indicating good pest management, the persistence of various maintenance issues suggests ongoing challenges with building upkeep. The property's environmental control board violations from 2019 highlighted concerns about corroded cornices and window maintenance, though these violations were resolved.