550 East 139th Street, Bronx, NY 10454

The 10-unit, 5-story building at 550 East 139th Street in Mott Haven, owned by David Tennenbaum and constructed in 1931, has experienced several significant maintenance and safety issues over the past few years. Most recently, in March 2025, the building was inspected for rodent activity, with violations noted that required follow-up inspections by the Department of Health. This area has shown persistent rodent problems, with multiple inspections throughout 2023-2025 indicating ongoing rat activity.

In early 2025, the building experienced a heat and hot water emergency affecting the entire building, though this was reportedly corrected after inspection. The property has a notable history of mold issues, with multiple complaints in recent years, particularly affecting apartments 1 and 9, and including violations issued in May 2024 requiring remediation of approximately 4 square feet of mold in Apartment 1's bathroom, and previous violations in 2023 affecting other units. The building has undergone various inspections and faced multiple regulatory actions, including several Housing Maintenance Code violations.

In late 2023, there were violations related to missing safety equipment (smoke and carbon monoxide detectors) in Apartment 9, as well as plumbing and renovation work completed without proper permits that resulted in a $2,500 violation. The property has maintained a clean record for bedbugs, with no reported infestations in recent years. The Department of Buildings has conducted multiple inspections under Local Law 188/17, most recently in 2024, indicating ongoing oversight of building maintenance requirements. While the building's owners have made efforts to address various issues as they arise, the frequency of complaints and inspections suggests ongoing maintenance challenges, particularly regarding moisture control and pest management.