976 Prospect Avenue, Bronx, NY 10459

The 5-story, 19-unit tenement building at 976 Prospect Avenue in Longwood, owned by Mark Engel and constructed in 1905, has experienced several significant maintenance challenges in recent years. Most notably, there have been persistent heat and hot water issues throughout 2025, with multiple complaints filed between January and April, though many were marked as duplicates or resolved upon inspection confirmation.

The building has also faced rodent infestation problems, with inspections revealing rat activity in 2024-2025, leading to the installation of bait systems in July 2025 as part of an ongoing pest control program. The property has several outstanding and recently resolved violations. In December 2024, violations were recorded in apartments 1A (mouse infestation), 2C (roach and mouse infestations), 2D (defective self-closing doors), and 5A (multiple issues including mice infestation, non-functioning doors, and mold).

Historical records show a pattern of boiler-related complaints throughout late 2023 and early 2025, though most inspections found no violations at the time of checking. The building's heat system appears to have been a recurring issue, with multiple service requests documented during 2025, despite some claims of restoration being made during inspections. The Department of Buildings has conducted several inspections regarding boiler functionality, with varying outcomes ranging from "No Violation Warranted" to "Inspector Unable To Gain Access." This report summarizes the building's most significant recent issues, focusing on heat/hot water problems and rodent activity, while noting various apartment-specific violations related to habitability and maintenance.