686 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215

The 3-story, 4-unit residential building at 686 5th Avenue in Sunset Park, owned by Giovanni Lanzo, has experienced several noteworthy events and inspections over recent years. Most recently, in 2025, a food establishment complaint was filed regarding foreign objects in food, and in 2024, there were four recorded instances of missed annual bedbug report filings, all classified as Class A Housing Maintenance Code violations.

In late 2023, multiple complaints were recorded between December 11-28, including concerns about unpermitted work and electrical wiring issues, though inspections found no violations warranted. Earlier in 2023, there were additional complaints about electrical wiring and unpermitted work, but again, inspections determined no violations. The building has also generated two food establishment complaints in 2019 and 2022 related to improper food handling practices, specifically regarding bare hands in contact with food.

While the building's records show a pattern of complaints and violations, particularly regarding bedbug report filings and food safety issues, it's notable that most recent complaints about electrical and plumbing work were investigated and found to have no violations warranted. The property has maintained compliance with Housing Maintenance Code violations following the issues in 2024, and the majority of complaints have been addressed through inspections that found no substantiated violations. The building's age of 95 years (as of 2025) and its classification as an "OLD LAW TENEMENT" suggest it is subject to specific regulatory requirements, including the need to file annual bedbug reports, which has been a recurring compliance issue.