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Building and Landlord Data Analysis Report

557 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215

3
DOB Complaints
27
311 Housing Calls
12
Housing Violations
0
Permits

Risk Assessment

95
Low Risk

This building shows minimal signs of maintenance issues based on our analysis.

Our AI predicts there is a 95% chance of no major maintenance issues.
Augrented Insights Report for 557 Union Street

557 Union Street, a 3-story, 4-unit residential building constructed in 1920 in Gowanus and currently owned by Joel Lefkowitz, has experienced numerous maintenance issues over the past several years. Most concerning are the recurring heat and hot water problems, with three emergency complaints filed in the past year alone (December 2023, March 2024, and February 2025), though in each instance, inspectors were unable to gain access to verify the conditions. The building has also faced significant plumbing and sanitation challenges, including multiple water leak reports in 2022-2023, a sewage leak complaint in May 2024, and an unsanitary garbage storage violation in June 2024 for which violations were issued and are still showing as open.

Structural maintenance issues have been documented through Department of Buildings (DOB) violations, with active ECB violations from 2024 for building maintenance issues including missing vinyl siding and obstructed fire escape landing. The building has a history of rodent issues, with evidence of rat activity noted in multiple inspections between 2019 and 2022, though more recent inspections in 2022 resulted in passing compliance ratings. The property has also experienced some structural stability concerns, with building shaking/vibrating complaints recorded in 2022 and 2024, and three special operations compliance inspections between 2024-2025 showing violations.

Recent inspections in 2024 revealed building maintenance issues that resulted in financial penalties, including one violation with a $6,250 penalty for improper maintenance. While the building has consistently reported no bedbug infestations in recent years, the frequency of heat/hot water complaints, plumbing problems, and structural issues suggest ongoing maintenance challenges. It's notable that many complaints have required re-filing due to lack of access during inspections, particularly for heat-related issues, indicating potential communication or access coordination challenges within the building.

Last updated: July 27, 2025
This report is created with AI and based on the most recent 10 data items in each category. Full reports with 50+ data points are available to subscribers.

557 Union Street Report Contents

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557 Union Street Building Overview

Renter Risk Rating

This building is in the riskiest 40% of buildings in Gowanus.

Building Characteristics

Total units 4
Year built 1920
Total area 3140 sq ft
Floors 3
Tax Abatements None
Building Class OLD LAW TENEMENT
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Key Building Statistics

3
DOB Complaints
Complaints filed with the Department of Buildings in the last 7 years.
12
Housing Violations
Class B & C housing maintenance code violations.
27
311 Housing Calls
Housing-related 311 service requests in the last 7 years.
0
Work Orders
Repair orders issued by city agencies.
2
ECB Violations
Environmental Control Board violations on record.
0
Evictions
Evictions executed by city marshalls.
6
Rodent Inspections
Rodent inspections conducted by DOHMH.
0
Building Permits
Permits issued by DOB in the last 7 years.

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557 Union Street Landlord Information

HPD Registration Contacts

Contact data is from NYC HPD building registration.

RoleNameAddress

Landlord Portfolio

Other NYC buildings registered to this landlord.

AddressUnitsCode ViolationsRisk Rating

Landlord Court Records

NYC housing court and civil court records. Name matching only; verify parties are actually the owners by reviewing the case files!

Date FiledCase TitleCourtLink
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557 Union Street Rent Control Status

Year Built
Built before 1974
Units
Less than 6 units
RGB Registration
Not registered
Tax Abatement
None found
Year BuiltUnitsRGB RegistrationTax Abatement
Before 1974 <6 units Not registered None

Full Building Data for 557 Union Street

Housing Maintenance Code Complaints

This table shows complaints to 311 related to potential NYC Housing Maintenance Code (HMC) for 557 Union Street. These complaints are related to conditions such as lack of heat, hot water, mold, pests, and other habitability issues. Class B and C violations are the most serious and may indicate significant problems with building maintenance or safety.

Date ReceivedSttatus DateCategoryTypeStatus
2025-02-102025-02-14Heat/hot Water-Apartment OnlyEmergencyCLOSE
2024-06-012024-09-08Unsanitary Condition-Garbage/recycling StorageNon EmergencyCLOSE
2024-03-032024-03-06Heat/hot Water-Apartment OnlyEmergencyCLOSE
2023-12-072023-12-10Heat/hot Water-Apartment OnlyEmergencyCLOSE
2022-12-132023-01-09Water Leak-Slow LeakNon EmergencyCLOSE
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Housing Maintenance Code Violations

This table shows violations of the NYC Housing Maintenance Code (HMC) issued by HPD for 557 Union Street. These violations are related to conditions such as lack of heat, hot water, mold, pests, and other habitability issues. Class B and C violations are the most serious and may indicate significant problems with building maintenance or safety.

Inspection DateClassStatusStatus DateApartmentNOV DescriptionCertified Date
2024-09-07BOpenNoneNone§ 27-2010, 2011, 2012 ADM CODE REMOVE THE ACCUMULATION OF REFUSE AND/OR RUBBISH AND MAINTAIN IN A CLEAN CONDITION THE FRONT YARDNone
2022-06-21BCloseNoneNone§ 27-2010, 2011, 2012 ADM CODE REMOVE THE ACCUMULATION OF REFUSE AND/OR RUBBISH AND MAINTAIN IN A CLEAN CONDITION THE BUILDING FRONT EXTERIOR2022-07-05T00:00:00.000Z
2022-06-21COpenNoneNoneHMC ADM CODE: § 27-2017.4 ABATE THE INFESTATION CONSISTING OF RODENTS RATS AT BUILDING FRONTNone
2022-04-12BOpenNoneNone§ 27-2010, 2011, 2012 ADM CODE REMOVE THE ACCUMULATION OF REFUSE AND/OR RUBBISH AND MAINTAIN IN A CLEAN CONDITION THE BUILDING FRONTNone
2022-04-12BOpenNoneNone§ 27-2021 ADM CODE PROVIDE SUFFICIENT, PROPER AND SEPARATE METAL RECEPTACLES FOR THE DEPOSIT OF GARBAGE, RUBBISH AND OTHER WASTE MATERIAL AND ARRANGE FOR COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL OF SUCH MATERIAL.None
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311 Service Requests

Service requests made to 311 for 557 Union Street. Data from NYC 311.

Created DateTypeDescriptionStatusAgencyResolution
2025-02-10 13:39HEAT/HOT WATERAPARTMENT ONLYClosedHPD
2024-06-01 10:29UNSANITARY CONDITIONGARBAGE/RECYCLING STORAGEClosedHPD
2024-05-31 19:35Indoor SewageSewage LeakClosedDOHMH
2024-03-03 14:06HEAT/HOT WATERAPARTMENT ONLYClosedHPD
2023-12-07 15:00HEAT/HOT WATERAPARTMENT ONLYClosedHPD
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DOB Complaints

Department of Buildings complaints regarding 557 Union Street.

Complaint #FiledStatusCategoryInspection DateDisposition
2025-04-07CLOSEDSpecial Operations Compliance Inspection2025-04-14Oath Violation Served (2025-04-15)
39866002024-12-04CLOSEDDebris/Building – Falling or In Danger of Falling2024-12-05Oath Violation Served (2024-12-05)
39727442024-08-15CLOSEDBuilding Shaking/Vibrating/Struct Stability Affected2024-08-15Oath Violation Served (2024-08-15)
38824082022-11-17CLOSEDBuilding Shaking/Vibrating/Struct Stability Affected2022-11-18No Violation Warranted For Complaint At Time Of Inspection (2022-11-18)
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DOB Violations

Department of Buildings violations regarding 557 Union Street.

Date IssuedCategoryDescriptionStatusComments
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Indoor Environment Complaints (DOHMH)

The table below shows indoor environment complaints received regarding the conditions at 557 Union Street. The information includes the date, type, description, and status of each complaint. The data is sourced from DOHMH/311.

DateTypeDescriptionStatus
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Bedbug Infestations

The table below shows the bedbug reports filed by the landlord for 557 Union Street. The information includes the file date, infested units, eradicated units, re-infested units, filing start date, and filing end date. The data is sourced from DOHMH. Landlords are required to file these reports; missing data may indicate non-compliance.

File DateInfested UnitsEradicated UnitsRe-infested UnitsFiling Start DateFiling End Date
2025-06-160002023-11-012024-10-31
2023-12-150002022-11-012023-10-31
2023-01-050002021-11-012022-10-31
2021-12-230002020-11-012021-10-31
2020-12-220002019-11-012020-10-31
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Rodent Inspections

Recent rodent inspection results for 557 Union Street. Data from NYC DOHMH.

DateTypeResult
2022-09-27CompliancePassed
2022-06-28InitialRat Activity
2022-03-25CompliancePassed
2022-03-03InitialRat Activity
2019-12-12BAITBait applied
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HPD Litigation Explanation

The table below shows the HPD litigation records for 557 Union Street. The information includes the open date, case type, status, judgement, penalty and whether harassment was found. The data is sourced from HPD.

Source: HPD
Open DateCase TypeStatusJudgementPenaltyHarassment found
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OATH Cases Explanation

The table below shows the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings cases for 557 Union Street. The information includes the date, agency, respondent, charge, result, penalty, and status. The data is sourced from OATH.

Source: Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH)
DateAgencyRespondentChargeResultPenaltyStatus
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ECB Violations

Environmental Control Board violations for 557 Union Street. Data from ECB.

DateNumberRespondentDescriptionStatusPenaltyBalance Due
2024-12-0539132129ZUNION RESIDENCE LLCFAILURE TO MAINTAIN BUILDING IN CODE COMPLIANT MANNER. AT TIME OF INSPECTION OBSERVED AT EXPOSURE #4 SECTION OF VINYL SIDING MISSING AND HANGING OVER NEIGHBORING YARD. ALSO AT EXPO#1 FIRE ESCAPE LANDING OBSTRUCACTIVE6250.06250.0
2024-08-1539122149RUNION RESIDENCE LLCFAILURE TO MAINTAIN BUILDING IN CODE COMPLIANT MANNER. AT TIME OF INSPECTION OBSERVED AT EXPOSURE#2 A SECTION APPROXIMATELY 8'X3' HAS DETACHED FROM BUILDING., REPAIR AND/OR REPLACEACTIVE655.0655.0
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Alternative Enforcement Program (AEP) Explanation

The table below shows the Alternative Enforcement Program (AEP) records for 557 Union Street. The information includes the start date, start violations, discharge date, and status. The data is sourced from HPD.

Source: Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD)
Start DateStart ViolationsDischarge DateStatus
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Vacate Orders Explanation

The table below shows the vacate orders for 557 Union Street. The information includes the effective date, rescinded date, reason, type, and units. The data is sourced from DOB.

Source: Department of Buildings (DOB)
Effective DateRescinded DateReasonTypeUnits
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Work Orders Explanation

The table below shows the work orders for 557 Union Street. The information includes the date created, type, description, and charge. The data is sourced from HPD.

Source: Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD)
Date CreatedTypeDescriptionCharge
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Liens Explanation

The table below shows tax and water liens for 557 Union Street. Information includes tax class, month, water only flag, amount, and cycle. Data is sourced from NYC Department of Finance.

Source: NYC Department of Finance
Tax ClassMonthWater OnlyAmountCycle
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Case NumberDateTypeStatusDetails

Sales Records

Sales transactions for 557 Union Street. Data includes sale date, price, buyer, and seller.

DatePriceBuyerSeller

Asbestos Records

Asbestos abatement filings and records for 557 Union Street. Data includes filing date, type, and status.

Start DateEnd DateStatusProcedureFloor

Fire Violations

Violations issued by the Fire Department for this property.

Violation NumberDateDescriptionStatus
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Fire Inspections

Fire Department inspection records for this property.

DateTypeResult
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Fire Certificates

Fire safety certificates for this property.

TypeIssue DateExpiration
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Water Connections

Water connection permits and records for 557 Union Street. Data includes connection type, date, and status.

MaterialRecord Type

Elevator Permits

Elevator permit records for 557 Union Street. Data includes permit type, issue date, and status.

TypeIssue DateStatus

Landmark Violations

Landmark preservation violations for 557 Union Street. Data includes violation date, type, and status.

DateTypeStatus

Planning Projects

City Planning (ZAP) project applications for this building. Data includes project ID, status, borough, and lot/block information.

Project IDStatusBoroughBlockLot
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Building Permits

Department of Buildings issued building permits for this property. This includes permits for construction, alteration, and demolition work. Data includes permit type, job number, status, and issue date.

Permit TypeJob NumberStatusIssue Date

Electrical Permits

Department of Buildings issued electrical permits for this property. This includes permits for electrical work, installations, and modifications. Data includes permit type, job number, status, and issue date.

Permit TypeJob NumberStatusIssue Date

How 557 Union Street Compares

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