1026 Ward Avenue, Bronx, NY 10472

The three-unit, two-story New Law tenement at 1026 Ward Avenue in Soundview, owned by Walter Harper, has experienced several significant maintenance issues since 2018. The property, built in 1915, has ongoing challenges with heat and hot water systems, most recently documented in April 2023 when housing inspectors were unable to gain access to verify the reported issues. There is also a persistent record of pest problems, particularly in 2019 when multiple complaints about infestations were filed, despite several inspection attempts.

These included verified violations in July 2019 for rodent and roach infestations in unit 2R, along with multiple other violations related to safety equipment and maintenance standards in that same apartment. From 2018-2019, there were multiple heat and hot water complaints, including a documented violation in August 2018 affecting the entire building. Other concerns during this period included a power outage in September 2018.

More recently, the building has faced ongoing rodent issues, with the most recent inspections in 2025 showing rat activity, though there were some passing results in earlier inspections in 2024 and 2023. The property currently has open violations from 2021-2024 regarding the failure to file annual bedbug reports, which represent a significant regulatory oversight. While some issues have been addressed and closed over time, including a power outage in 2018, the building continues to exhibit recurring maintenance challenges that affect basic services and safety compliance.