1294 Shakespeare Avenue, Bronx, NY 10452

The two-family house at 1294 Shakespeare Avenue in Highbridge, built in 1899 and currently owned by Edward Grey, presents significant ongoing challenges with pest control and maintenance compliance. Most recently, in August 2024, there were two unresolved complaints regarding unsanitary conditions and pests that HPD could not inspect due to access issues. The building has a documented history of rodent problems, with multiple inspections between 2022-2025 showing varying results, including recent compliance inspections in 2024-2025 indicating rat activity.

The property has also faced recurring pest issues, with HPD issuing violations in 2022 for infestations including both mice and roaches in the first-floor apartment. A heat and hot water complaint from December 2023 was inspected but resulted in no violations, though it was noted that hot water exceeded 130 degrees in the kitchen during a subsequent inspection. The building's recent history includes multiple Department of Buildings (DOB) inspections and complaints, particularly during 2018-2019, related to construction work and illegal modifications.

These involved various violations including work without a permit and failure to maintain adequate housekeeping during a renovation period, resulting in fines totaling $19,750. Several complaints regarding egress issues and a defective boiler were investigated in early 2024, though no violations were found at the time of inspection. The property has maintained an active bedbug-free status in recent inspections, with no reported infestations in the past two years. While there have been numerous complaints and violations over the years, many were resolved through inspections or correction orders, though the persistence of pest-related issues suggests ongoing challenges with property maintenance and resident comfort.