724 East 214th Street, Bronx, NY 10467

The three-story, five-unit tenement at 724 East 214th Street in Williamsbridge, owned by David Blum and constructed in 1928, has experienced numerous maintenance and habitability issues over the past two years. Most recently, there have been recurring pest infestations reported in 2025 (April, February, and January), with the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) unable to gain access for inspection in each instance. The building has also faced multiple heat and hot water failures, with emergency complaints filed in January and October 2024, and subsequent access issues preventing proper inspection.

Additional concerns include a mold incident (October 2023), water leak problems, and window frame maintenance issues documented in late 2023. The building's maintenance violations from late 2024 indicate significant issues, particularly in apartment 1R, including problems with water leaks, peeling paint (including lead-based hazards), and ceiling damage. Earlier that year, major safety concerns were identified, including blocked fire escapes, improper self-closing doors, and a defective fire escape ladder component. While the property has undergone inspections for pest control (showing no infestations from 2019 to 2024) and passed a rodent inspection in October 2022, a previous 2022 inspection had noted rat activity.

The building's current status as of mid-2025 shows an open heat/hot water complaint from October 2024 and multiple pest-related service requests. The property's violation history shows some issues have been addressed by their certified dates in late 2024, including repairs to broken connections, ceilings, and peeling paint in apartment 1R. However, the repeated nature of the complaints and inspection access issues suggest ongoing challenges with building maintenance and resident communication access. The most recent inspections consistently show difficulties with HPD access for proper evaluation, though previous violations were addressed and closed.