578 East 163rd Street, Bronx, NY 10456

The 578 East 163rd Street building is a 6-story, 16-unit New Law Tenement constructed in 1908, currently owned by Joseph Varela. The property has experienced recurring maintenance issues in recent years, with notable concerns between 2023-2024 including multiple electrical problems (power outages and no lighting), window frame issues, radiator problems, and appliance complaints, all of which HPD was unable to inspect due to access issues. Earlier incidents reveal a pattern of heat and hot water problems, particularly affecting Apartment 4B in 2022, along with confirmed rodent and roach infestations in multiple units.

The building underwent significant violations in 2023 and 2024, including issues with smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and electrical safety in common areas, though most were subsequently addressed and closed. The property has consistently passed rodent inspections between 2014-2022, indicating some level of pest management success. Bedbug reports from 2021 through 2024 show no documented infestations.

Maintenance challenges are evident from the 311 service requests and Housing Maintenance Code complaints, with many complaints remaining unresolved due to inspection access issues. The building's electrical systems have been particularly problematic, with multiple complaints about outages and lighting issues. Recent violations (August 2024) include a refrigerator door gasket problem in Apartment 3CD and a roach infestation in the same unit. The building's history reveals persistent maintenance challenges, particularly regarding basic services like heat, hot water, and electrical systems, though some improvements have been made based on violation resolutions.