553 Academy Street, Manhattan, NY 10034

The 5-story New Law Tenement at 553 Academy Street in Inwood, owned by Joseph Zitolo and built in 1925, is currently experiencing significant maintenance issues as of mid-2025. The building has documented water leak problems in recent months, with heavy flow issues reported in both November 2024 and March 2024. There are also ongoing concerns with mold and water damage, particularly in apartment 43 on the 4th floor, where inspections in December 2024 revealed multiple violations including water leaks, visible mold conditions, and painting requirements.

A bedbug infestation was reported and eradicated in one unit, though the exact unit was not specified. The building has maintained consistent rodent inspection compliance, passing all required inspections from 2018 through 2025. Previous violations from 2022-2023 included issues with paint/plaster conditions and plumbing problems, though many of these were resolved through inspection processes.

The property has a mixed record of responding to and resolving complaints, with numerous housing maintenance code violations being issued and addressed over the past few years. These include violations regarding window guards, safety equipment (smoke and carbon monoxide detectors), and various repair requirements. Historical data shows the building has had periodic bedbug issues, with infestations reported in 2019 and most recently in late 2024, though the affected units were typically identified as single instances with successful eradication efforts. The building's complaints to the Department of Buildings regarding electrical wiring and debris concerns in 2021 and 2023 were investigated but no violations were found at the time of inspection.