1159 Wheeler Avenue, Bronx, NY 10472

The two-story, four-unit building at 1159 Wheeler Avenue in Soundview, owned by Carlos Ortiz, has a notable history of maintenance issues and safety concerns since 2018. Most recently, the building has experienced consistent rodent activity, with inspections in April and June 2025 showing rat presence, following previous instances of infestation in March 2023 and September 2019.

The building has two open Housing Maintenance Code violations from 2022 specifically related to apartment 2F, including issues with window guards and various security and maintenance requirements such as a missing glass pane, light fixture, and smoke detector, as well as problems with bathroom tiles, ceiling plaster, and paint. The building has faced multiple maintenance challenges over the years, including a significant cluster of complaints in September 2022 involving windows, doors, flooring, ceilings, and plumbing, most of which resulted in violations being issued. In 2021, there were serious concerns about heat and hot water affecting the entire building, though inspectors were unable to gain access for verification.

Historical records also show periodic issues with lighting, various structural problems, and a concerning asbestos complaint in June 2021 that required departmental attention. While the building has filed its bedbug reports showing no infestation during the years 2020-2021 and 2022-2023, the persistent rodent activity and multiple ongoing violations suggest continuing maintenance challenges. The most recent bedbug report from August 2024 indicates zero affected units for the period of November 2022 to October 2023, which is a positive development.