553 East 188th Street, Bronx, NY 10458

The 5-story, 15-unit apartment building at 553 East 188th Street in the Belmont neighborhood, owned by Pasquale Perretta and constructed in 1912, has experienced significant maintenance and habitability issues in recent years. Most notably, there are persistent problems with mold and pest infestations, particularly affecting Apartment 14 on the 5th floor, which has open violations as of October 2024 for mouse and roach infestations. The building has also faced multiple emergency-level unsanitary conditions, including mold and pest issues, with the most recent complaints filed in May 2025.

Inspection records reveal ongoing maintenance challenges, including multiple instances of inadequate paint/plaster conditions affecting various building components such as doors, windows, walls, and radiators. A concerning pattern of rodent-related problems is evident from multiple failed inspections between 2023 and 2025, though the most recent rodent inspection in April 2025 passed. The building has had issues with emergency repairs, including a problematic fire escape door lock in Apartment 14, though many housing code violations from 2024 and earlier regarding various repairs and maintenance issues have been closed or resolved.

Earlier records from 2022 show concerns about the building's structural stability and exterior maintenance, with violations related to missing cornice sections and holes in the cornice and soffit above the main entry, resulting in a $625 penalty. Historical documentation indicates some bedbug activity was recorded in 2020-2021, but recent reports from 2022-2025 show no current infestations. The building's maintenance history suggests ongoing challenges with maintaining basic habitability standards, particularly regarding pest control and moisture-related issues, despite some improvements in recent inspections.