555 West 170th Street, Manhattan, NY 10032

The 45-unit, 6-story tenement at 555 West 170th Street in Washington Heights, owned by Heights 170 LLC, has faced several concerning maintenance issues recently. Most notably, there is an active concern regarding elevator service as evidenced by two complaints in June 2025 about a single elevator device with no alternate service. In spring 2025, multiple housing maintenance code violations were documented, including issues with doors/windows, plumbing (bathtub/shower problems), wall conditions (paint/plaster), and self-reported flooring/stairs concerns. The building has also had persistent plumbing issues, with at least one inspection in April 2025 resulting in violations that required owner correction within specified timeframes.

The property has a history of significant violations regarding lead paint hazards, particularly in Apartment 56, where violations were issued in December 2024 affecting various walls and surfaces. While some violations from 2024 were subsequently certified as corrected, including issues with metal surfaces and a pest infestation, others remain open as of the latest records. The building underwent multiple 311 service requests in 2025 related to various maintenance issues, some resulting in violations that require owner remediation. The property has also experienced periodic pest issues, with documented bedbug infestations in 2024 and earlier years, though the most recent reports from 2024-2025 indicate no current infestations.

Recent rodent inspections show mixed results, with some inspections passing and others indicating rat activity. The building's history includes more serious concerns from 2020, when multiple violations were recorded regarding unauthorized gas installations, illegal conversions, and inadequate sprinkler systems. These violations, resulting in significant fines, were ultimately resolved. The property was built in 1909 and has had various maintenance issues over the years, with the current pattern of violations suggesting ongoing challenges with building maintenance and code compliance. While some improvements have been made and certain violations have been resolved, there are still multiple open violations requiring attention as of the most recent data available.