288 East 168th Street, Bronx, NY 10456

The 28-unit, 5-story building at 288 East 168th Street, owned by Jose Carela, has experienced significant maintenance challenges, particularly in recent years. Most concerning is an ongoing rodent infestation, with multiple confirmed rat activity inspections in 2024 and 2025, including recent activity in July 2025. The building has also faced persistent unsanitary conditions, with violations related to pests documented in apartments B3, C4, D4, and D6 as of October 2024.

Multiple maintenance issues have been recorded through 311 service requests and Housing Maintenance Code complaints, including heat and hot water problems, flooring concerns, and issues with walls and stairs between 2025-2024. Recent emergency complaints from June 2025 involved plumbing issues in toilets and sinks, as well as pest-related problems. The building's infrastructure has come under scrutiny, with multiple complaints regarding building shaking and structural stability between late 2023 and mid-2024, though inspections were unable to confirm violations in most cases. An active ECB violation from October 2023 notes concerns about stress cracks and floor sagging in apartment E4, with a penalty associated.

The property has maintained a record of being bedbug-free for several years, with no infestations reported in the past five inspection periods. While several maintenance issues have been addressed, as evidenced by closed HPD complaints, many violations remain open or were only recently closed, indicating ongoing maintenance challenges. Additionally, the building's rodent control program has shown mixed results, with repeated inspections showing persistent rat activity despite some inspections passing and bait being applied in 2024. The building's age (built in 1916) and classification as a New Law Tenement contribute to its complex regulatory history.