510 West 171st Street, Manhattan, NY 10032

The 22-unit, 5-story New Law Tenement building at 510 West 171st Street in Washington Heights, owned by Alex Kohen and built in 1907, has experienced recurring issues with heat and hot water systems in recent months. Between October 2024 and July 2025, there have been numerous complaints about inadequate heating, with multiple reports during February 2025 alone, though HPD was unable to gain access to inspect the conditions. The building has also faced electrical concerns, with open Housing Maintenance Code complaints regarding electrical outlets and lighting as of June 2025.

Earlier violations include a December 2024 citation for defective self-closing doors in common areas and specific apartments, and a 2022 ECB violation related to fire escape maintenance that was ultimately resolved. The property has a documented history of maintenance challenges, including a pattern of heat-related complaints extending back to late 2024, and issues with pests. While recent inspections show no bedbug infestations, there was a rat activity report in December 2023, though subsequent inspections in February 2024 and October 2024 passed without issues. Historical records indicate the building underwent various repairs and addressed multiple violations between 2016 and 2022, including issues with fire escape stability and unit-specific maintenance problems in Apartment 2D.

The current owner has been responsible for addressing numerous complaints over the past several years, with varying degrees of success in maintaining building systems and addressing tenant concerns. The building's maintenance history suggests ongoing challenges with basic services, particularly heating systems, though some improvements have been made in response to previous violations, as evidenced by the resolution of the 2022 fire escape violation. The property has maintained compliance with rodent inspection requirements in recent years, with inspections generally passing, though there have been some instances of documented rat activity in the past. The bedbug reporting system shows no instances of infestation or re-infestation in the past eight reporting periods, indicating effective pest management in this regard.