998 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10459

The 5-story, 16-unit tenement building at 998 Southern Boulevard, built in 1912 and currently owned by Edward Isaac, has experienced significant maintenance and safety issues in 2024. Most notably, there have been multiple complaints in November 2024 regarding heat and hot water issues, plumbing problems (bathtub/shower), electrical outlet/switch concerns, paint/plaster issues, and unsanitary mold conditions - all of which HPD was unable to inspect during their response.

The building also faced serious violations in May 2024 when HPD documented multiple issues in Apartment 2B, including broken window guards, pest infestations (roaches and mice), and various maintenance problems affecting doors, tiles, plaster surfaces, and mold. On the infrastructure side, there was a boiler-related violation noted in September 2023, with the Department of Buildings citing multiple issues including openings in ceiling and walls, pressure control installation problems, and a non-self-closing boiler room door, though this was later resolved with a penalty of $1,562. The building's recent history shows some improvements in pest management, with no bedbug reports filed since 2020, and a passed rodent inspection in October 2023.

However, the persistence of maintenance issues throughout 2024, particularly regarding heat/hot water systems and moisture problems, raises concerns about the building's current habitability conditions. Prior to these recent complaints, the building had experienced typical urban tenement issues including plumbing problems and window maintenance concerns, with HPD violations generally being addressed within reasonable timeframes. While some violations have been certified as corrected, including a May 2024 window guard violation and various maintenance issues in Apartment 2B, the recurring pattern of unaddressed complaints - especially those related to basic services like heat and water - suggests ongoing challenges with building maintenance and tenant service requests.