889 Hunts Point Avenue, Bronx, NY 10474

The 5-story, 23-unit tenement building at 889 Hunts Point Avenue, owned by Harry Kotowitz, has experienced numerous maintenance issues in recent years, particularly concerning heat and hot water systems. Most recently, in May 2025, there was a building-wide heat and hot water outage, and similar heat-related complaints have been documented in November 2024 and February 2024, indicating a persistent problem with the building's heating system. The property has also faced multiple water supply issues, with three separate plumbing complaints in July 2024, and various heating problems throughout 2024 and 2025, including a bathroom toilet issue in May 2023.

The building has undergone several inspections regarding pest control, with a notable infestation of roaches documented in Apartment 52 in November 2024, and previous pest-related complaints in May 2023. The property has experienced periodic bedbug issues, with three documented infestation periods between 2022 and 2024, though records indicate successful eradication each time. A concerning set of violations was recorded in 2024 regarding building security, including defective self-closing doors and latch issues at the main entrance, as well as safety concerns about gas leak procedures and heating system access notices.

While recent rodent inspections from 2022 to 2025 have generally passed, there were significant rat activity reports in late 2019 and 2021. The building's mechanical systems also faced scrutiny, with an ECB violation in 2022 concerning safety valve discharges and exposed electrical components near the boiler system, though this was resolved with a $313 penalty. Certifications for lead-based paint hazard control were successfully completed for Apartment 45 in 2023, and multiple permits for work at the property have been issued between 2018-2020.