709 West 170th Street, Manhattan, NY 10032

This five-story New Law Tenement building, located at 709 West 170th Street in Washington Heights and owned by Melanie Martin, has experienced numerous significant maintenance issues since 2022. There is an ongoing rodent control situation, with multiple complaints and inspections throughout 2024-2025 showing consistent rat activity and bait application.

The building currently has multiple open violations from 2024 related to plumbing, electrical, and heating systems, including issues with hot water provision in multiple apartments (32, 41, 42), an unsafe open fuse box in apartment 2, and a defective radiator shut-off valve. The property has also faced substantial building code violations, particularly regarding its facade and boiler system, with over $80,000 in penalties currently owed across various active ECB violations including exposed wiring, debris issues in multiple apartments, and significant exterior damage including cracks, chipping stucco, and spalling bricks. The building's recent history includes several concerning patterns: multiple unsanitary conditions related to garbage/recycling storage documented in June 2025, ongoing heating and hot water system issues documented between 2022-2024, and problems with building access compromising maintenance and safety inspections.

Notably, the property experienced a pest outbreak as evidenced by bedbug reports in 2022-2023, though recent records show no current infestations. The building's maintenance record shows numerous inspection follow-ups and violation notices, with some violations remaining open for extended periods despite multiple complaint filings and inspection visits. The combination of persistent rodent activity, ongoing plumbing and heating issues, and substantial facade maintenance needs suggests significant building maintenance challenges dating back several years.