1551 Shakespeare Avenue, Bronx, NY 10452

The 72-unit, 6-story building at 1551 Shakespeare Avenue, owned by Jennifer Lau and classified as a "New Law Tenement," was constructed in 1923 and has experienced several significant maintenance issues in recent years. Most notably, there have been recurring problems with the heating system, with HPD responding to both building-wide and apartment-specific heat/hot water complaints in 2025 (February and April). The building has multiple open and unresolved violations related to building systems and safety requirements, including three active violations from 2024-2025 concerning failure to file required external low-pressure inspection reports from 2018-2022, which could potentially impact building safety. Additional open violations from 2024 include issues with building access, emergency notices, and heating system access.

The building has a documented history of various maintenance challenges, with multiple HPD complaints in early 2025 regarding various issues including pests, flooring, appliances, electrical problems, and water leaks, though many of these inspections were not completed. The building's facade and safety systems have also been a concern, with several complaints about self-closing doors and heating system access. While the building has passed several rodent inspections in recent years, there was a significant bedbug infestation recorded in 2019-2020 (affecting 5 units), though subsequent reports from 2021-2024 show no infestations. The building's elevator system has faced multiple complaints in the past, with the most recent being from 2021, though no violations were found during inspections.

The property has not reported any bedbug infestations in the past four years (2020-2024), and recent rodent inspections have consistently passed. However, the volume of complaints in early 2025, particularly regarding heating systems, suggests ongoing maintenance challenges. There are also multiple active ECB violations related to facade inspections and various open violations related to building safety notices that require attention. The building's heating system appears to be a recurring issue, with multiple complaints and violations regarding hot water availability in different apartments throughout 2024-2025.