575 East 161st Street, Bronx, NY 10451

The five-story, 13-unit Old Law Tenement at 575 East 161st Street in Longwood, built in 1882 and owned by Salvatore Gigante Jr, has experienced several concerning maintenance issues in recent years. Most notably, in March 2025, there were complaints about heat and hot water outages, though HPD couldn't gain access to inspect. Apartment 5A has been particularly problematic, with multiple open violations as of 2024-2025, including issues with an intercom system, kitchen light fixture, refrigerator door gasket, and a reported cockroach infestation.

Additional violations in 5A pertain to problems with sink waste lines, kitchen repairs, and window functionality, though some violations have been resolved. The building has a documented history of pest control challenges, with rat activity noted in multiple inspections between 2017 and 2022, though a compliance inspection in 2022 showed passing results. Recent infrastructure concerns include an active Department of Buildings violation from October 2023 regarding improperly supported window A/C units on floors 4 and 5, with a $500 penalty.

Previous major violations include water issues in the cellar in 2016 and various repairs needed throughout the building. Despite these challenges, the building's bedbug reporting system shows consistent records of zero infestation reports from 2019 through 2024, and some progress has been made with recent inspections showing efforts to address various maintenance issues, including certifications of completion for certain repairs in 2025. The building's age and the number of open violations suggest ongoing maintenance challenges, particularly affecting apartment 5A, while more recent complaints indicate possible recurring issues with building systems.