858 Beck Street, Bronx, NY 10459

The 4-story, 9-unit tenement building at 858 Beck Street in Longwood, owned by Yon Kowitz, has experienced multiple recurring maintenance issues over the past several years. The property, constructed in 1907, has faced significant challenges with building systems and resident comfort, including numerous complaints about heating and hot water problems in 2023, repeated unsanitary conditions (including mold and pest infestations) in 2024-2025, and multiple safety violations.

Of particular concern is the building's lead paint compliance status, with open violations as of December 2024 related to failure to properly investigate lead-based paint hazards and maintain required documentation. Recent maintenance history shows persistent issues with basic building systems and infrastructure, including plumbing problems (as evidenced by multiple violations in both 2023 and 2025), ceiling problems reported in 2025, and ongoing challenges with both windows and doors. The building's condition has prompted multiple emergency service requests between 2023 and 2025, particularly regarding heat and hot water issues affecting the entire building.

While there have been no reported bedbug infestations in recent years (with zero infested units reported in the most recent filings), rodent inspections between 2016 and 2019 revealed consistent challenges with pest control, suggesting ongoing maintenance and sanitation concerns. Additional historical context shows past violations related to building systems, including failures to maintain electrical systems and boiler room conditions documented in 2018, and the building currently has an active violation from April 2023 regarding the failure to file the 2022 external low-pressure inspection. The property has undergone various inspections and service requests, with many requiring follow-up actions that indicate ongoing communication challenges between tenants and management regarding access for repairs and inspections.