716 East 215th Street, Bronx, NY 10467

The 5-story, 18-unit building at 716 East 215th Street in Williamsbridge, owned by Benjamin Mendlowitz and constructed in 1925, has experienced several significant maintenance issues over recent years. The property has documented multiple heating and sanitation problems, including emergency heat/hot water issues in November 2021, pest infestations, mold, and various plumbing concerns in September 2021, all of which resulted in Housing Preservation and Development violations. More recently, in 2024, the building received violations regarding roof door security and self-closing doors at various locations, including the penthouse and compactor areas, though these were later certified as corrected.

The building's more serious structural concerns emerged prominently in late 2022 when multiple complaints were filed regarding building stability, including reports of shaking/vibrating conditions and structural defects involving unsupported girder beams in the cellar. These issues resulted in emergency Department of Buildings investigations and violations, including concerns about concrete facade bulging and fire safety compliance. During this period, the property also faced scrutiny for unauthorized construction work, though these violations were ultimately resolved.

More recently, the building has maintained bedbug-free status according to the latest reports, and rodent inspections between 2018 and 2022 show a pattern of rat activity with some inspections resulting in failed compliance. The property has undergone various inspections and received multiple violation notices between 2018 and 2024, with the most recent documented issues focusing on door maintenance and security requirements. While many past violations have been resolved or dismissed, including structural issues that received engineer approval, the building's maintenance history suggests recurring challenges with basic services and building systems. The housing maintenance code violations indicate a mix of emergency and non-emergency issues requiring attention, with particular concentrations of problems in late 2021 and late 2022.