452 East 187th Street, Bronx, NY 10458

The five-story New Law Tenement building at 452 East 187th Street in Belmont, owned by Jorge Ruiz, has experienced several maintenance and pest-related challenges over the past two years. Most notably, there have been recurring issues with plumbing, doors/windows, and various unsanitary conditions including repeated reports of pest infestations. Between 2023 and 2024, multiple HPD complaints were filed regarding plumbing (toilets), window frames, paint/plaster (ceilings and walls), and unsanitary conditions, with some violations being issued, particularly related to ceiling damage and pest problems in September and December 2023.

The building has also faced persistent rodent issues, with inspections throughout 2023-2025 showing either rat activity or the application of bait, though recent inspections in 2025 show some improvement with passed results. More recently, in late 2024, the building underwent several inspections resulting in multiple violations related to door security and functionality. These include issues with self-closing doors, latch sets, and a door sealed shut leading to the east yard.

There were also concerns regarding accessibility, with HPD being unable to gain entry for inspections during several complaints. The building's maintenance history includes some older concerns from 2020 regarding boiler conditions and illegal hotel room allegations, though these were resolved. While the property has shown some consistent efforts to address maintenance issues, as evidenced by the certification of violations in late 2024, the recurring nature of various complaints suggests ongoing maintenance challenges, particularly regarding building systems and pest management. Additionally, the building has maintained a pest-free status for bedbugs over the past several reporting periods from 2019 to 2024, which indicates effective management of this particular issue despite the rodent concerns.