638 West 160th Street, Manhattan, NY 10032

The 6-story, 42-unit building at 638 West 160th Street in Washington Heights, currently owned by Yida Stern, has experienced multiple maintenance and safety issues in recent years, particularly evident between April and June 2025. During this period, the building had numerous HPD complaints and violations related to water leaks, floor conditions, and paint/plaster issues, including both wall and ceiling problems.

Significant elevator concerns have persisted, with multiple complaints documented between 2023 and 2024 regarding its single-device system and safety features, resulting in ECB violations and penalties totaling $2,850. The building has also faced electrical and plumbing challenges, including a hazardous electrical condition and unauthorized wiring work in 2024 that incurred $3,200 in penalties, though there is a record of permit issuance for electrical work in 2025. The property has a history of environmental and safety concerns, including lead paint hazards identified in 2024 (in apartment 5B) and multiple instances of rat activity documented through rodent inspections between 2022 and 2025.

Water-related issues have been a recurring theme, with multiple slow leak complaints between 2024 and 2025, and a 2024 violation regarding excessive hot water temperature in unit A3G. The building's maintenance history also shows persistent problems with building systems, evidenced by multiple emergency and non-emergency HPD complaints throughout 2025, including issues with window frames, flooring, and plumbing systems. While the building has demonstrated some responsiveness to violations—many of which have been closed through inspections—there remain active safety concerns as of the latest data, particularly regarding electrical systems and building maintenance compliance.