513 East 138th Street, Bronx, NY 10454

The 12-unit, 5-story tenement at 513 East 138th Street in Mott Haven, owned by Jose Campos and built in 1915, has experienced several significant maintenance and safety issues in recent years. The most pressing current concern involves multiple active complaints regarding mobile food vendor activity, with inspections by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene initiated as recently as June 2025.

Earlier investigations from 2024-2025 found unaddressed bedbug violations during apartment inspections, with records showing at least one infested unit in 2022 and subsequent reports indicating different levels of infestation through 2025. The building has faced substantial habitability challenges centered around apartment 4F, including persistent water leakage, insect infestations (roaches and mice), and multiple maintenance violations related to plumbing, cabinetry, flooring, and ceiling conditions, all documented in 2022 and remaining unresolved with open violations.

Other notable issues include active violations for boiler maintenance (with penalties of $1,250) and window A/C unit support problems (with a $500 penalty) discovered in 2023, along with a history of heating/hot water emergencies in 2018-2019. Despite various complaints and violations, the building has consistently passed rodent inspections conducted annually from 2010 through 2023, though the presence of both pest infestations and maintenance deficiencies suggests ongoing challenges with property upkeep and tenant comfort. Recent bedbug reporting from 2023-2025 indicates some stabilization of infestations, with zero reported units in the most recent filings, though previous years show historical occurrences.