2126 Lafayette Avenue, Bronx, NY 10473

The three-unit, two-story residential building at 2126 Lafayette Avenue in Castle Hill, constructed in 1930 and currently owned by Edgar Rivera, has experienced several significant issues over the past few years. Most notably, there are multiple open Housing Maintenance Code violations from 2021 through 2024 regarding the failure to file annual bedbug reports as required by HPD rules. The building currently faces multiple active Department of Buildings (DOB) violations from 2022 related to illegal apartment conversions and unauthorized construction work, with total penalties exceeding $25,000.

These violations include operating more dwelling units than legally authorized (with records showing two apartments on the first floor, one on the second floor, and the basement designated as recreation space), unauthorized construction of bathrooms and partition walls, and modifications to the rear garage area. There is also a pattern of access issues for compliance inspections under Local Law 188/17, with multiple instances of inspectors being unable to gain access to perform required checks between 2023 and 2025. The building's maintenance history shows some concerning incidents affecting tenant comfort, particularly a heat and hot water service interruption in October 2020, though this issue was reportedly resolved promptly.

While there were no major rodent-related violations in the recent past (the last inspection in 2010 was passed), the ongoing bedbug report violation pattern suggests possible challenges with maintaining required sanitation and pest control standards. The property has also been subject to several DOB complaints, with the most recent in 2024 regarding ventilation issues, though no violation was warranted upon inspection in March 2025. The combination of active DOB violations, recurring bedbug report violations, and inspection access issues points to ongoing compliance challenges at this property.