655 East 189th Street, Bronx, NY 10458

The 27-unit, 5-story tenement building at 655 East 189th Street in Belmont, owned by Manuel Garcia, has experienced recurring maintenance and safety issues over the past 18 months. The most recent cluster of complaints from March 2025 includes heat and hot water problems, mold, and ceiling issues, with one heat complaint remaining unresolved as of mid-March 2025. The building has documented rodent activity through multiple inspections in 2024 and 2025, with the most recent inspections in May 2025 showing bait application. Several significant maintenance issues were identified in June 2024 during inspections of Apartment 20, including electrical fixture problems, pest infestations (both mice and roaches), multiple door and window repairs needed, and inoperable carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

The building has also encountered various access issues during inspections, with HPD inspectors often unable to gain entry to verify reported conditions. The property has maintained an active history of complaints across various agencies, including multiple 311 service requests for unsanitary conditions, door/window issues, and structural concerns throughout 2024 and 2025. While some violations have been addressed, including a notable correction of carbon monoxide and smoke detector issues in late 2024, many remain open or were closed without proper resolution due to access issues. The building's regulatory history shows a consistent pattern of maintenance challenges, particularly regarding pest control, heat/hot water services, and building safety systems.

Recent bedbug reporting data from late 2024 through early 2025 suggests zero infestation during the specified reporting periods, though comprehensive building-wide inspection results are not fully transparent from available data. The property has undergone regular inspections for rodent activity, with results showing frequent rat activity in 2024 and early 2025, suggesting an ongoing pest control challenge. While some complaints have been investigated and closed by various agencies, including both HPD and DOHMH, there remains a significant number of open issues related to maintenance and repair needs throughout the building. The most recent inspection activities indicate that while some baiting efforts have been implemented, the persistent rat activity suggests continued challenges with addressing pest control comprehensively.